How many of you started in a registry set and then left it?

[nwcs]

I mean this to be a more serious discussion, not a registry bashing thread...

 

As I've been thinking about my collection and the coins I want I find that trying to compete in the registry is compelling me to buy issues I really don't want. I've recently been going through a huge purge of items I don't want (and some were bought mostly as slot fillers for the registry) and got to thinking that the registry has been a bad influence on me. Putting restraints on how I collect (if I'm going to compete) and calling out to me with those empty slots to be filled.

 

For example, Pinnacle has a beautiful large cent coin I think I want. But it doesn't fit in my sets. It got me thinking about what makes a set and whether I should let go of my registry sets and focus only on the coins I want and create my own kind of set even if it's Neil's Random Coin Set. A large cent is very different from the coins in my collection but I have always wanted a really nice one.

 

Thought I'd share and see what other people's experiences are. I should add that I can see this happening without a registry to. Like trying to build a set just like someone else's or doing a set because someone said it's the way collecting should be, etc.

 

Neil

[jeffnpcb-migration]

I know how you feel about buying more and more of the year to upgrade what you already have in the set. I started over 2 years ago, no intent on set registries, in proof Cam and UCam Roosevelts. Well, last week I decided to enter them into the NGC Registry and stand at #8 for the 1950-1964 Proofs. I'm still stuck with extras from '51-'64 and don't know what to do with them.

My main problem is that certain coins are in need of upgrade, but I don't want to sell off my extras and take a loss with them. Currently I am fed up with both Registry programs as that the sections are not set-up to accomodate collections that didn't require investing a ton of money. Leaves out allot of the small collectors and has resorted to a elitist list of who's who.

I have basically stopped a pursuit of upgrades and working on 3 type sets, mostly AU pre-1900's coins to top MS coins for the modern issues.

Still with this effort, those early half and large cents are going to kill me in decent grades.

[TomB]

I understand what you are writing about, although I have never fallen victim to it. It is a siren's song that calls collectors to purchase product and services that they would otherwise not use. For me, my complete type set will never be complete as there are many, many coins that I really do not have an interest in owning. So, I use the Registry as a convenient place to share what I have with others and to write something about each coin in my set. To me, it has been a lot of fun and I do not anticipate ever "competing" at a high level in it.

 

As always, buy what you like with money you can afford to lose.

[nwcs]

Thankfully, the coins I could live without are all cheap ones. I wouldn't get the expensive clads. Well, that and a few others. I think it's the tyranny of seeing those slots unfilled more than anything.

[Hoot]

At first the registries helped me focus my efforts on collecting within the series that I like. However, I did, on more than one occasion, find myself thinking that I had to have a coin because it fit an open slot in my registry set. When I finally realized that's what I was doing, I decided to quit collecting that way. That does not mean that I don't collect coins for my registry sets, I simply don't think about them when considering a coin purchase. Does that make sense? What I buy now are only coins that are eye appealing and are personally appealing. I absolutely do not care if they are "pop-top" or would set me sailing up in points in the registry or ANY of that BS.

 

The proximate effect is that I buy less now than I was a year ago. The ultimate effect is that I buy any coin that strikes my fancy. Recent purchases include a 1794 and 1798 cent - both in nearly perfect shape, but AG03 ; a wonderfully toned Lincoln cent of 1911; a lovely 1907 $10 in AU58 (sorry jom). Each of these coins (and some others) just leapt out at me.

 

One of the benefits of collecting with great focus, as for the registries, is that you gain an expertise in a particular series that will follow you as you look for coins far and wide. With buffalo and Jefferson nickels, I look for as many raw pieces as I can find, and I cherrypick. I recently found a concentrically rainbow toned 1913 T1 buff in a dusty tray of circulated coins all in 2x2's. It was labeled MS64, but it's clearly an MS65/66 and strikingly beautiful. What experience in these series does for me is it allows me comfort in buying raw (or slabbed) coins, knowing what I should get from each purchase.

 

Lots to say on this topic. Thanks Neil.

 

Hoot

[Oldtrader3]

I have to agree with Tom. I buy the coins that I want and if they fit a Registry Set, fine. If not, so what. I did play the Registry allure game on a couple sets and soon realized that I can not compete against some pretty deep pockets and that I did not enjoy the pressure of collecting only to complete sets.

[291fifth]

I've never really understood the registry set mania. I just collect nice coins that interest me. My prediction is that registry sets are a fad that is now nearing the end of its run. The end could come quickly as a few of the owners of the top sets try to cash out before the collapse of the craze.

[keithdagen]

I've changed my focus dozens of times -- I started with a Modern Commem set, then a 20th Century Type set, then a Modern Type set, now a Complete Type set with some commems scattered around. I focus on what's needed to complete my set, but if I see something cool, I'll buy it.

 

And I'm not afraid to "downgrade" points if I'm upgrading eye appeal. Two of my coins I recently downgraded -- Washington in 67 to a 66 with great toning and a Jefferson in 67FS to a 66* with amazing toning.

[Hoot]

And I'm not afraid to "downgrade" points if I'm upgrading eye appeal. Two of my coins I recently downgraded -- Washington in 67 to a 66 with great toning and a Jefferson in 67FS to a 66* with amazing toning.

 

I also just did this Keith with a few of my Jefferson nickels. And the coins I have passed up on are nice coins, so someone should be happy in the end!

 

Hoot

[airplanenut]

I left... see my article in Numismatist from August, p 103... I really don't like the registry any more (although if I can capitalize off of it, then it's not so bad )

 

Jeremy

[DonHeath]

Neil,

 

It's an interesting thread. Some of my collection "sort of" fits some of the registry slots. I choose not to view the registry as a competition, and much prefer the imaged sets that some collectors put up that are not necessarily near the top of their category. Don't get me wrong, I love the superb collections some of the leaders in their category have built, but I also love odd sets like Dog's Morgan toners. I guess the only real cohesive theme evident in my collection is that all of the coins are coins I really like. I don't believe the grade matters too much, and I'm sure having multiple identical coins save the date doesn't appeal to me much. I just prefer looking through my collection and seeing pieces I really like.

 

It's very difficult to pass on a beautiful surprise and instead wait for a hole filler. Perhaps eventually I'll find an example I like for every date in a series. In the meantime, I'll continue to buy coins that speak to me. I think that keeps the hobby very fresh, and you never know what a day brings.

[Fairlaneman]

I have never figured out why people think the Registries are fields of competition. I think competition is something you have a chance to win. Most people have no chance of winning in the Registry so why do they knock themselves out trying to win. Buying a coin just to gain points IMO is just really dumb. Double Dumb if you do not like the series in the first place.

 

Basically for most folks the Registries are just a place to enter thier coins and show them off a little. These folks have no hope of over taking the Big Dogs.

 

If sometime down the road a high ranking set is put together I say kudo's to the owner for his hard work and careful selection of coins. These are the sets I love to watch and I have had my eye on 4 or 5 sets that folks have been building over a period of years and not days. To me these are collectors building sets that just happen to be in a registry and they are not just building points but building nice collections.

 

Will I leave my Registry Set. Not a chance because that is what I collect and will continue to collect.Will I buy a 65FB 25S Merc for the points ? Nope...can't afford it plus I really like my 64 coin. Will I upgrade coins if the chance comes ? You bet....Isn't that what collecting is all about ? The only qualifier is that a upgrade will have to be something that is liked better than the present coin.

 

Ken

[BillJones]

For me the NGC registry is just something that I fool with. It's a by-product of my 40+ years of collecting.

 

Yes, I'll admit that when I first put up the coins that I had, I looked at what it would take to go higher. It didn't take me long to figure out that I'm not far from my "Peter Principle." I'm about as high as I'm going to get.

 

I refuse to fool with the PCGS Registry because they will only accept PCGS coins. What a joke! Saying that you have the finest set of anything because you are the king over the hill over there is all foolishness. Because of the PCGS only rule, their sample is even more flawed than the sample over here.

 

In total all registry standings are flawed because (1) there are many coins out there that are certified but not registered, and (2) there are still very nice coins that have never even been slabbed. Then (3) if you add into the fact that the slab graders are not perfect you can see why being at the top of a registry is not the same as owning the finest known.

 

The best way to compare at least your early coins to the best is to join the specialist groups like the Early American Coppers Club (EAC) and the Jon Reich Society. Collectors there work on finest known lists, that information is based on ALL of the coins reported slabbed or not. That's the only way to get a real handle on what are really the top coins and collections. It will also give you some information on where your collection stands. (e.g. way above average, nice above average, run-of-the-mill, well down the list.)