should be an interesting year

I always enjoy setting my yearly goals and writing them into a journal entry. It is especially interesting to look back in November and December and see how many I have attained and how my goals may have changed or morphed.

So here they are, in no particular order of importance:

1. For 2 years I have made it a goal to finish my Walker Short Set--hopefully this year I'll find that 1941-S in MS66 with a nice strike at a time when I also have the discretionary income available.

2. I have 4 last Mercury dimes to find and purchase to finish that short set. I will keep the criteria of MS67 minimum, so the final 4 will probably be a 1941, 1942 and 1943 in MS67 and a 1943-D in 67FB....just nice coins at reasonable prices and it will feel great to actually finish a set (something I haven't done since I finished my 16 coin France gold 1899-1914 20 FCS collection over 2 years ago.)

3. I'd like to finish my only Modern Set..the set of Canadian dimes 1981-present. This is a fun set with several commemorative designs, the changing queen's bust as she's aged, and of course the Bluenose Schooner on the reverse..

4. Since I've been buying the Canadian proof sets for the dimes, I have become increasingly impressed with the design of their $2 Bi-metallic Polar bear coin. I will set as a goal to start this collection and fill at least 5 slots by year end.

So that's it: 1 Walker half to finish that set; 4 mercury dimes to finish that set; and about 12 more Canadian dime proofs to complete that set and cement my #1 spot in that category.

You may have noticed that for the first time in years I have no goals for my sailing ship coins...truth is I'm disappointed and don't know what else I could do to improve the set. I had harboured a hope that it may be worthy of some kind of Signature Set award (maybe even best overall !!) I think I have spent too much time on researching, photoing, adding creative adaptations etc etc in hopes of an award for my efforts, pride of ownership will have to be my consolation.

Having said that, I will continue to buid the set..I just won't invest so much of my creativity and time into it....I also think I'll reduce my journaling to about once a month (I believe I must be getting stale to many of you--you're probably tired of me writing over and over)..

Oh, and one more goal..I really really really want a 2009 St Gaudens High relief !! I saw one at the World's Fair of Money last July in Baltimore and the pamphlet/brochure has been on my desk for 6 months !!

My newest find...a wonderful Latvian sailing ship coin-I had been close to purchasing it at BIN for $125 for several months, but again patience paid off..found it for $38 at another site !!