reflections on another year

Well I renewed my NGC-Collectors Society membership today. I know that some people keep two registry memberships but I only need one. NGC has cheaper submission fees, much friendlier and respectful people working there, the journal feature and also the signature sets--all of these things have made me a bit of an NGC loyalist.

I am aware that some PCGS coins may be worth a bit more even slabbed at the same grade--but I won't sell my enjoyment of the hobby for some long-range speculation of value. If all goes well in my life I will be passing my collection along as an inheritance and never have to concern myself with its resale value.

I finally got around to sending off a submission. It has been several months--long enough for that sense of excited anticipation to have returned. It was my largest submission ever, 27 coins ( all with sailing ships !!!)--and I know I'll be checking this website daily for its progress. Three of the coins I sent in were still in their original mint packaging. I'm hoping to finally get a 70 on a submission. When I read some peoples journals and they say "I did ok on my submission, I got three 70's and two 69's" it makes me shake my head. I have mailed hundreds of coins in--very many still in their original packaging, and have never seen those grades. I do mostly submit Canadian mint, Australian and Royal mint coins--so maybe their minting is crud compared to the US Mint.

I usually like to include/record a photo of my newest coin purchase along with my journal entries--however they all went to Sarasota this morning....so for what it's worth here's a picture of a page from my Franklin half album. Notice the misfit 1950 coin. My mission for the upcoming Whitman Coin Expo at the Baltimore Convention Center will be to find a nice one to "finish" this album. Also I think I'll stop by the pre-viewing of the Bowers and Merena auction lots and take a look at this Pitt Token I have my eye on.

It's been another great year and I'm looking forward to the next one and many more with my fellow collectors in this community...happy hunting...