As a way to allow those of us with limited means to compete meaningfully for a trophy next year, I propose the following award categories via our "Signature Sets."

(1) BEST TONED MODERN YEAR SET. Minimum grade on all coins - MS 65. Exclude SMS in SMS years, since toning on those coins shouldn't really be competing with bank bags, rolls and other environmental hazards.

(2) BEST MODERN TYPE SET ACQUIRED RAW (all slabs self-slabbed). Possible subcategories could include (a) acquired raw only in a certain time frame, e.g. 2011; (b) acquired raw only at face value, i.e. from the bank; © a type set of only one denomination (imagine slabbing an AG 1899 1c!); (d) RPM's only.

(3) BEST MODERN TYPE SET - ERRORS ONLY.

You all get the idea. My inspiration for this was when I searched 4 rolls of 2001 Sacagawea dollars, mint- (not bank-) wrapped. In one roll, a shred of string had sat there all those years. Several coins had huge tone patterns we normally associate with Morgans left in some New Orleans basement bank vault.

Frankly, I'm almost bored looking at all these modern collections of pristine coins. It's a bit like watching Star Wars and trying to pick out which Stormtrooper is the best-dressed. It's time for us to appreciate the INDIVIDUALITY of our coins, the crazy lives these reactive metals lead.

And think of the treasure troves of toned coins out there. There are not only MILLIONS of COINS out there in bank rolls, there are MILLIONS of ROLLS out there. Start buying your rolls now from Houston and Miami, and bring on those moldy, humid rolls! Although the economy is recovering, there are still thousands of collectors out there who cannot afford to hold their Pennsylvania 25c rolls anymore.

Sorry there's no photo - I'm having issues getting my camera to talk to my USB port :-(

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