My first experience with a registry …

[BillJones]

I have just completed entering my first and probably only set into a registry.

 

I am a full time dealer, but I am still a dedicated collector. Since I’ve been a dealer I have been building a type set of the “old” commemorative silver coins. There’s nothing fancy here. The coins are all NGC and PCGS graded, and they range from MS-63 to MS-66. The coins are pieces that I LIKE, and at times I discarded a higher grade coin to my sales inventory when I ran across a coin that I liked better in a lower grade holder. I guess you could call that “registry suicide.”

 

My set of 50 type coins got me to #10 on the NGC list. I did feel the bug a little to add some varieties, but I have no interest in upgrading any but a couple of coins, which are of special interest to me like the Delaware, because it was my home state. The set pleases me and that’s what counts.

 

I did take pictures and posted them for all the coins, which is quite a time consuming job. I took close-ups of all the coins and did not show the slabs. That seems to be against the grain, but to me it’s the coin that counts, not the slab. I’ve been a collector for over 40 years, and I guess I’m old fashioned in that respect.

 

If you would like to look at my registry set, it is under BillJones in the Commemorative 1892 – 1954 are of the registry. I would happy to answer any questions for those of you are working on a commemorative set and any other U.S. coins for that matter.

 

[Tradedollarnut]

Welcome, Bill! Always a pleasure to add one more set dedicated to eye appeal and not just the "plastic frame"!

[jtryka]

Congrats Bill! I have several sets registered, but for the most part, I only care about my Saint set (currently dropped to #7, unless it dropped some more in the last few days). I am also a collector like you, the Saint set is the only one I bothered to place pictures in, and I never even thought to put a photo with the slab! The process was quite time consuming, but well worth it since it's a safe and easy way to share my collection with people all over. That's where I get the enjoyment. There's not a lot of competition in the Gold registry, so it's not a huge deal to be in the top 10, since often there are less than 10 sets registered in total. But it is sure a nice way to showcase your collection and share with others on this board. I always enjoy looking at Oldtrader's set, he's added some great pieces lately. I think it's more what I like the registry to be, a way to build community, rather than a source of cutthroat competition.

 

PS-I love your Texas, and that has to be one of the most beautiful Illinois halves I have ever seen!

[EVillageProwler]

Bill,

 

I haven't yet checked out your set, but I'm sure it's great in the eye appeal department. I like it that you're not a Registry Kool-Aid drinking slab-a-holic and would gladly sacrifice a higher-graded specimen for one that appeals to you more.

 

From reading your posts here and there, it seems that you've always had this kind of wisdom that allowed you to think on the merits on your own terms. Perhaps more of the others will come to realize that ``registry suicide'' was used sarcastically, and that there's more to collecting than the stupid registry point system.

 

EVP

 

[nwcs]

I've noticed a lot more new sets here. I have three sets right now. Added the third today. Have a 20th century type set, morgan, and now peace dollar. All are in PCGS slabs right now, although that restriction is now basically gone.

 

As for pics, I think it's an extra bit of fun to take pics of the coins for the registry. You get to play with the coins a bit more as well as share them with other people. And as for showing the slab? Doesn't matter to me. Although I would be interested in knowing if people ever look at other people's registry coins. I do for those who are right above me. Get a feel for my competition.

 

Neil

[Hoot]

Way to go Bill! Eye appeal is THE criterion when it comes to having a set you will generally love, vs. one that may suit competition. Having what you have (or both eye appealing and competative coins) is a matter for long-term set building and great deidication to an art. Yet, in a time of super high-graded sets (perhaps there have always been such), it is good to see people like yourself who will display something appealing and wonderful regardless of grade. (And you still land in one of the top spots!) I can only aspire to do the same. (My 1935 buffalo nickel continues to knock me out in terms of beauty - an MS63 in a sea of higher graded coins. I simply won't replace it until I havefound "the" coin. )

 

Also a commem, I just picked up a 1925 Lexington that is absolutely gorgeous. Wonderful toning and ample lustre combine with a good strike to make a hell of a coin. The grade? No monster - MS65 - a couple of stray dings on the reverse keep it from going higher. I'm like you with the commems - beauty first! (I have but 4 classic commems and a LONG way to go! )

 

Thanks for a wonderful set Bill!

 

Also, Neil, I often look at others' sets - high and low in the registries - and I am looking for pictures and rich descriptions.

 

Hoot

[nwcs]

>Also, Neil, I often look at others' sets - high and low in the registries - and I am looking for pictures and rich descriptions.

 

Really? I always wondered if people read descriptions. I have written a couple but not many because I always figured no one would care. Maybe I need to write a bit more and add a few more pix.

[Hoot]

Maybe I need to write a bit more and add a few more pix.

 

Please do! IMHO, the registries are drab egotistical flotsam without the special care of excellent descriptions. Many of us cannot take a good pic of our coins and many are technology-limited. (I try but my pics suck). A description, however, can be the tell-tale of a truly inspirational coin! (Just look at michaels' posts!)

 

Hoot

[jtryka]

I think I may start adding some descriptions to my registry for Saints. I think it would be fun!

[jeh46544]

I've always wanted to add descriptions for my coins, but never new what to write.

[tgilliams]

Super set!! Thanks for sharing. Your hard work will be appreciated by many collectors.

[IrishMike]

Great set and pictures Bill. To me that is what a registry set epitomizes, coins that you like to own. I am with you I don't mind a hit or two if the luster and color is there. Quite frankly I alread know what a slab looks like so I like the idea of just the coin in the picture. My proof 36-42 Washington set is like that.

[nwcs]

OK, I'll start writing some tonight. I'm in a coin mood after all.

[Hoot]

Excellent Neil!

 

 

Hoot

[jtryka]

I am going to start adding some descriptions today for my Saint set, you guys inspired me!

[toneddollars]

I know Bill Jones and have bought some nice coins from him. He has a great eye for quality. If you buy a coin from Bill it will always be a high end for the grade and have super eye appeal. I am not surprised his private collection is loaded with nice coins. He has a great eye for coins that he sells. Highly recommended dealer. Bill is also a very knowledgable dealer who writes articles and passes them out at local coin shows. If you are from the Boston area it will be worth your time to stop and chat with him.He attends the Nashua and Chelmsford shows to name a few. When I first got back into coins he was a dealer that I talked a lot with.

 

Since I buy mostly toned coins we do not do to much together, but when we do it will always be a coin of high quality at a fair price.

[Hoot]

Let us know, Jeff, when you have those tantalizing words up! Good set descriptions will also be nice!

 

Hoot

[jtryka]

I did the first five, will work on it some more Sunday. I just want to take my time.

[nwcs]

I've got a couple of mine in. For a few morgans, a couple peace dollars, and some types. I like that they give more space for images and bigger ones. But have to redo some photography for that.

[Dog97]

registry suicide

Hahahah that's funny Bill Jones. Are you the only other collector that thinks like me? Several weeks ago I kicked a 86 DMPL with periph tone Morgan out of my set for a lower graded regular MS. I lost several hundred points but the replacement coin had this really weird tone pattern on it that looked like somebody had glued it to an album because the coin was really dark but had this large white untoned spot around the eagle.

I have plenty of high grade toned 84-Os but what do I put in my set but a ms60 with an tiny little rev rainbow crescent. Hey but it's a SAMPLE SLAB. The only coin that has a picture of the slab because the I bought the holder, not the coin! All my coins have decent pictures & descriptions. Morgan Set Glad to see another old time collector who collects the coin, not the holder. My set certianly won't break any grade records.

[Beijim]

Dog,

 

Your set may not break scoring records, but I must agree with others that nameless faceless sets with neither photos nor descriptions are drab after awhile. I checked out your set and enjoyed both the descriptions and pics - keep up the good work! This makes a collection interesting. I especially enjoyed Zorro and Rainbow Sample, although Periph Baby is a pretty amusing name.

 

Beijim

 

[Dog97]

Hey thanks for the good words! I have some "good" Morgs but this set is a lot of fun and interesting to say the least. I don't worry about the grades or who's holder it's in but get the ones that are kinda off the wall & attract me. I'm still picky and avoid fingerprinted coins. I hate fingerprinted coins! Yeah I know the 87 has a print but it's sure pretty and Big Black Eye was bought just because of the prints.

Right proud of my picts, all done with a HP4200C scanner and look exactly like the coins do.

And BillJones, I know you are a true collector, don't let us catch you start posting on the Registry Board starting serious discussions about weights & rankings!

[BillJones]

Thanks for the complements guys. It's great to see that there are others who value the coins over the grades on the holders and the rankings in the registries.

 

I've started to put up my type sets, but that will take a while, and will probably never be complete. Many of my coins are raw, and while I am getting some of them certified because of their market value, I'll never do them all.

 

I don't think I will ever keep a certified Kennedy half dollar or Roosevelt dime just to put something up on a registry. The closest I will come to that will be a certifed War Nickel. I've always liked those.

[jtryka]

Well, I added a set description, and am up to 1915 in describing the individual coins. Here's a link: North Coast Limited (and yes, all my sets are named after famous trains, what better way to combine my two favorite hobbies!).

[Hoot]

Thanks Jeff! Some great descriptions (I read them all!). Among other things (like the year federal income tax was instituted), I learned that San Francisco minted gold has greater eye appeal than Denver or Philly. Must have been the gold sources. What was the source for each mint? The Rocky Mountain gold mines for Denver and Philadelphia, and the Sierras for SF? Pretty cool stuff!

 

Hoot

[fcloud-migration]

Bill, congrats on your set!

[jtryka]

Hoot, I am not sure on the SF gold, interesting question. It might have something to do with the source of the gold, though by the 20th century I can only imagine that the gold from all those different sources was pretty well mixed up in Treasury vaults. I would think that gold would look the same if it's the same alloy (the mint was pretty tight on standards, 516 grains .900 fine gold alloyed with .100 copper). My guess would have to be that it has more to do with the striking process, perhaps since they usually produced fewer coins, they might have been more careful in striking, or maybe they polished their dies more, or maybe even it was a different wash used on the planchets before striking. Many things could be different, but I have to believe the gold was pretty much the same. All I know for sure is that I've seen a lot of gold in my time, and the stuff out of the SF mint is usually the prettiest!

[jtryka]

Well, my set is almost finished, I finished the last of the descriptions, but somehow I found that I had the wrong photos/missing photos of my 1922, so I'll have to add them this weekend. By the way, congrats to Oldtrader on making it to the halfway point on this set! Quite a feat!

[nwcs]

Argh, you're shaming me Jeff! I have been lax in getting the rest of my stuff updated. I'll try to add more tonight and get my coins described tonight and photo'd this weekend.

 

Neil

[jtryka]

You know, I've had so much fun with this set, I decided to continue and put up photos and descriptions for my type sets. I'll be working on that this weekend!