got back the 15 coins I sent away for my signature sets..

I have found that I really do enjoy collecting my signature set coins even more than working on my registry sets.My High Seas signature set in the thematic and topical section has truly become a hobby.It requires more time also than just checking auctions and my budget to see if I can squeeze them in.I buy beautiful coins with sailing ship themes, {often from as many countries/continents, metals, shapes and historical periods as I can. I try to find out through internet searches a bit of history of the ship, the country or both..then take the time to photo and relay a not-overwhelming amount of info into the comment slot.I got back 15 coins today....I have about 100 more to send away.... and quickly added 4 of them to my set and still am researching the other 10...the 15th coin being the 1906 Marianne/Rooster, 1 of the final 3 to finish my France 20 FCS gold coin signature set.....One final word on my France gold set, I am still kicking myself about seeing the rare 1899 at a Steinbergs auction catalogue during the Long Beach Sale. The listing said "estimated value $750-1,000" so I promptly bid $1100, thinking that with the buyer premium included that I was sure to win it even if I was paying too much.When I checked the auction results it had sold for $1750 BEFORE the buyer premium...wow..now it may be another 3 years before I find one somewhere for sale... PS: the 4 coins I added today are the 4 coin set of Australia's "Voyages Into History". They are fabulous ship coins with great stories...JAX

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