new guidelines

Another great thing about the hobby is the liberty to collect what and how we like. I try and set a goal for each set I start--sometimes it's to build a #1 set, sometimes to just crack the top 25. Sometimes the only goal is to try and complete the nicest set possible with every coin at $100 or less. Some sets, like my sailing ship coin set, I have changed the rules as I go along, usually expanding the criteria to be more inclusive.

Last night however I broke a rule/goal in the opposite direction. I wanted to slowly make a nice quality Mercury dime short set--all coins being grade MS67 or 67FB. I was going to be patient, waiting for high quality PQ coins for the grade. I have bypassed a few coins that were slabbed in this grade, even though they were very cheap, because they just weren't very nice coins (probably why they were cheap for the slab grade). Last night, after slowly filling the first 7 slots with 67's--I bought a MS66 1945-Micro-s. I probably would find a very nice MS67 if I were patient...but I really liked the "character" and look of this coin.

So in the end, I exercised my liberty and freedom as a collector--I bought what I liked. I'm sure the set will look mix-matched to some if it is ultimately completed as 15 MS67's and 1 MS66...but I really liked this oddball coin and so it stays as a part of my little set. I may never break the top ten, however that was never a goal for this set anyhow....I think it's great to enjoy the hobby however I want

PS: I recently purchased a coin that will fulfill one of my major goals, cracking the first page in the Walker sets (in fact it will jump me all the way to 16th place!!) I have a final payment on Nov. 3rd and she's mine--I'll post more on that when I finally have her in hand

here's my oddball 1945 micro-s Mercury...I hope you can see why I broke my rules and bought it....as always, happy hunting everyone