2009 in review and my goals for 2010.

2009 has been a banner year for my collection. I have spent more money on coins this year than during any other year prior. My first full year in the registry is part of the reason for my increased spending. After establishing the sets I wanted to collect, I feverishly went about populating them. With the focus of filling slots and my proclivity to compulsiveness, I very nearly completed a 20th century type set and completed a Wilhelmina 10 Gulden gold set and a Britannia Two-Pound silver bullion set. Furthermore, I am current with the First Spouse $10 gold coins and submitted the last three coins in the series for grading last week.

To be fair to myself, I have grossed more in coin sales this year than any previous year. I could not have purchased the coins I did without first selling the coins that no longer fit into my collecting goals. I also sold a good portion of my problem coins from other TPGers and upgraded them to either NGC or PCGS slabs. Of course, whenever I upgraded a slot in my registry, I would sell the lower grade coin to help subsidize the higher-grade coin. Even so, I think my purchases far outweighed my sales. The good thing about buying coins though is that they tend to hold their value and increase over time, so I feel my money is not going down a huge sinkhole. My collection also serves as a reserve if my economic situation takes a turn for the worse, or I need it to supplement my income when I retire.

What are my plans for 2010? Now that I have established the areas and sets I want to collect, I will focus on periodic upgrades. Recently, I upgraded a Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter and Barber Dime in my 20th century from AU-58 to MS-64 and 63, respectively. I?ll post a photo of the quarter when I get it; I think you will agree it is absolutely stunning. Additionally, the goal for my Wilhelmina set is MS-65 and my Britannia set MS-69. Currently, I need six coins in each to attain that goal.

I know I will not be able to spend the money on coins next year that I spent this year. My wife wants upgrades on our house, and I agree she should have them. New purchases will focus on First Spouse coins for as long as I can afford them. Mary Lincoln is due out next year and she will be a fine companion piece to the Lincoln commemorative of this year. In case I cannot keep up, I can always fall back on the medals.

I still own quite a few problem coins, mostly gold and 19th century stuff. Rather than sell them, I think I will cross them over to purple slabs and use them to populate my gold and 19th century sets for the price of grading. I can always upgrade them in the future when funds permit. There are also have several world coins I need certified for my ?Inspirational Ladies? signature set.

Finally, I will spend more time polishing the coin descriptions in all my registry and signature sets. This gives me countless hours of fun and enjoyment for no additional cost. I may also start a new signature set based on an aviation theme. In closing, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope that you will all meet your collecting goals in 2010!

Gary