With 2008 behind us, it can hardly goe any more sideways.

I feel very fortunate to continue to be a part of this community. We are a special group of folks. Many of us are chastised by those who are unfamiliar with the intricacies of coin collecting. Many people are also unaware of the beauty of the things we cherish. Whatever your pleasure is, at least you have one (as do I). That's saying a lot more than what others can. We set goals for ourselves; goals to pursue within our means, occasionally outstrecthing ourselves but enjoying it nonetheless.

This next spot is not for sympathy but speaks more to the way in which so many of us operate. When I first started doing this registry collection concept, I was shooting for the top spot for everything. At that point my income was substantial and my time was surprisingly free. I assembled a very nice collectiong of some of the finer modern day coins in the hidtory of our great country.

Times have changed.

I have had to re-evaluate where I am now focusing my attention on. No longer am I able to go against the big boys. Actually I am selling off a massive portion of my collection on ebay. I have listed 400 coins or so wih another 500 or so to go. This will obviously decimate my overall standings but that's not what is truly important any longer. I am keeping all of my Dansco Albums with the intent on filling up the last few spots in them (granted both coins are over $3,000 easily 1901-S and 1916 both Quarters of Course).

I am also keeping my Lincoln Penny Registry Sets both Proof and Mint State. These have always been my love, not for the design, or any other purpose other than my connection with my father, his history, my childhood and my childhood ambitions. I also am keeping my Jefferson Nickel Mint State and Proof Collections. The rest are flyijng out of my home unless they are part of my "Dansco Collections" but I wanted graded to ensure they were genuine and also for protection.

It is horribly painful to have to list/sell coins that are still precious to me but my financial situation demands it.

I hope many of you can continue on with your collections and even enhance them. It has been a great run for me but I have to rest right now, finances demand it.

I hope to come back in an even bigger scope in the future but I am not holding my breath, which is fine.

God Bless. Happy New Year and Keep on Collecting.

Chad