How I added 1,320 points to my Registry Set AND put $710 in my pocket!!

There seems to be a lot of active discussion and controversy on Collector's Society Journals lately related to Registry points and how they are not fair, or seemingly random, and don't reflect current market prices or rarity of the coins. I now join the fray.

Can you imagine NGC trying to determine the points assigned to each coin in an attempt to fairly represent the worth and rarity of a particular coin in a particular series? It is an impossible job, but a job that I think NGC has performed admirably and responsibly. I commend them for tackling this herculean effort, and for the most part, getting it right.

There are those among us, myself included, who study the coin points in relation to rarity in relation to cost to acquire, and seek to gain the most advantage for their Registry Set at the least cost. I have read several journals of collectors that actually track the cost per point for particular coins, and seek to maximize their points, while minimizing their costs. Since the point system is not perfect, one can sometimes actually pay less for a coin that generates more points, depending on market conditions that may not be reflected in point scores, or vice versa.

Here is the situation, as it relates to my set (The Newport Ridge Collection-GSA Carson City Morgans):

Coin in collection:

1885-CC MS 66 - Value: $2,550 - Points: 1,658 ($1.54 per point) - Population: 189 in MS66

Coin for possible acquisition:

1885-CC MS65* VAM 4 (star graded coin) Value: $1,840 Points: 2,978 ($0.62 per point) - Population: 10 in MS65, including only 2 in MS65*

So, based on the above facts, should I "trade down" my MS66 for an MS65? While some might still want to keep the higher graded coin, this was a no-brainer for me. I sold my MS66 for $2,550 and bought the MS65* VAM 4 for $1,840, thereby putting $710 in my wallet, and gaining 1,320 points. Not a bad day's work on the old collection, in my opinion.

I think NGC got the points right in this case, based on the rarity of each coin. This rarity, however, has not yet been reflected in market pricing of each coin.

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