an arduous endeavor nears its end

First of all, congratulations to all of the registry winners- each and every award is well-deserved and don't let anyone else's frustrated words detract from your moment of due recognition. Your passion for the hobby is evident in the sets assembled by some and the presentations done by others. I have had less fervor this past year myself and have taken a more subdued direction in my collecting. Maybe 12-15 coins added and half of those were upgrades to existing coins within my sets.

Which brings me to the title of my journal.

Several years ago, the primary focus of my collecting was my signature coin set. The High Seas sailing ship coin set is a Topical/Thematic coin collection I have assembled and then tucked aside for about 2 years now.It was the first topical winner of the Most Creative Signature Set -as the custom sets were called back then. That was the primary niche that my fellow collectors identified me with, I believe. However late in 2007 I started assembling a Walker Half Dollar Short Set as a sidelight set for distraction. The only criteria I had set for myself was- and this is a direct quote from the original set description-" to find the nicest and highest graded example I can for each coin for under $100."

Well if you look at the set now you'll probably wonder what the heck happened ( or maybe I'm the luckiest collector in history for finding so many high grade coins for under $100.) What happened was a simple trade with a friend at Tradingslabs. I forget what I traded my friend rons but in return he agreed to send me 3 short set Walkers graded MS65. All 3 of these coins I added to my set but that quickly created a problem for my mildly OCD affected mind--there was an uneveness in the set now.

As only a coin addict could reason, the proper solution was to upgrade all of the other coins in the set to MS65 also. Well eventually I added an MS66 and started upgrading again. Then came my first MS67 and a new target-- a Top Ten set and the highest graded and most PQ, eye-appealing coin I can afford for each slot-- this is sure a long way off from " nicest coin for under $100."

So finally, after changing criteria and objectives, upgrading over and over and re-selling prior purchases ( usually at less than I paid originally ) I am nearing the end of the road- for real this time. There are only 2 slots left that I can reasonably afford to upgrade- my 1945 and 1943-D can both be bumped to MS67's when I find suitable examples. The other MS66's will stay as is-- My modest middle class station in life will not afford me the budget to acquire an MS67 41-S, 42-S, 43-S, or 44-S ( there may be an outside shot at a 45-S if I saved several months and happenstance brought a reasonable priced one to the market while I had the funds).

So, here is the most recent addition, purchased about 8 weeks ago but I never posted it. I'll actually be keeping my current MS66 though since it is one of my favorites. A simple 1941 common date, but I think you'll agree- not so common appearance.

I wish everyone a joyous New Year and enjoyment with your numismatic endeavors..happy hunting !