Let's face it, set registries have been one of the most brilliant marketing strategies implemented by TPGs. Whether you participate in them or not, you can't deny that the competition amongst collectors has helped fuel the growth of the hobby exponentially over the past decade. PCGS offers a wide array of different sets to be completed, but I believe that some different sets with an alternate composition could be even more popular and help propel the growth of the CAC registry in its infancy. For reference, I currently do not participate in any registry sets at all, and I only have gold coins in my collection at the moment, so I will only be making recommendations that I think would benefit collectors of U.S. Gold. I do recall in another thread that the CAC team welcomed any feedback regarding set registries, so here it is.
Let's take a look at some of the gold type sets currently offered by PCGS. For circulation strikes, you have the 8 & 12 piece sets, which are fairly popular. Then, if you really want to go the extra mile, you can complete the full (36 piece) gold type set, however this set is is prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of collectors. Not many people can afford a set that includes both a Wire Edge and Rolled Edge Indian $10, a Large Capped Bust $2.5, or a Small Eagle Draped $10. Taking cost into consideration, most collectors settle for the 8 or the 12 piece sets, but Im convinced that that some minor expansions of those sets would be popular with many gold collectors, and help encourage participation in the new CAC registry.
The 12 Piece set includes:
Can anyone explain why the Gold Dollar deserves 3 spots in this set? Why is it that other coins with multiple types aren't necessary but for the $1 we need all 3 types? This has been the primary reason that I have yet to attempt to complete this set, and my assumption, based on recent activity on the other forum, is that I may not be alone in this opinion. I don't have anything against gold dollars, but the small size isn't everyones cup of tea, and many would rather not consume such a large portion of collecting funds hunting down all 3 types. My suggestion for the modification of this set is simple; Remove the requirement to obtain all 3 types and make this a 10 piece set, with one Gold Dollar, regardless of type.
Furthermore, I think an expansion of that set would be equally as popular, if not more. While these additional coins are rarely found for bargain prices, they are still much more attainable than the prohibitively expensive types required for the 36 piece set. This 17 piece set would encompass the entire history of U.S. gold coinage from start to finish, and I firmly believe that more gold type collectors would participate in the registries for a set such as this one. Take the 10 piece composition and add:
Draped $2.5
Draped $5
Draped $10
Capped $2.5
Capped $5
Classic $2.5
Classic $5
Im looking forward to hearing any feedback from the forum regarding these ideas, all opinions are welcome. 🙂
Comments
I would love to see a set between the 12 and 36 coin sets.
I will never be able to compete with the people here, my budget does not allow for that, but it would be fun to finish something. For now I have an 11 coin set and don't see adding a Type 2 $1 any time soon. I am focused more on the earlier years.
Edited to add: I forgot to address Dan's points about the gold $1's. I like the dollars the least of all the gold coins that I collect, so I would agree to remove two of the $1's and make a 10-piece gold set for those that just want one example. Like most, for me it is the size of the gold $1's that turns me off to them. The Type 2 turns me off even more because most of them show the results of a clashed die.
Donato
Gold Dollar, Type 1 (1849-1854) - MS64+ CAC
Gold Dollar, Type 2 (1854-1856) - MS62 CAC
Gold Dollar, Type 3 (1856-1889) - MS67 CAC
Draped Bust $2 1/2 (1796-1807)
Capped Bust $2 1/2 (1808-1834)
Classic Head $2 1/2 (1834-1839) - MS62 CAC
Liberty $2 1/2 (1840-1907) - MS66+ CAC
Indian $2 1/2 (1908-1929) - MS64+ CAC
Indian Princess $3 (1854-1889) - MS62+ CAC
Draped Bust $5, Large Eagle (1795-1807) - MS62
Capped Bust $5, Large Bust (1807-1834)
Classic Head $5 (1834-1838)
Liberty $5, No Motto (1839-1866)
Liberty $5, With Motto (1866-1908) - MS64+ CAC
Indian Head $5 (1908-1929) - MS64
Draped Bust $10, Large Eagle (1797-1804) - AU55
Liberty $10, No Motto (1839-1866)
Liberty $10, With Motto (1866-1907) - MS64+ CAC
Indian $10, No Motto (1907-1908) - MS62 CAC
Indian $10, With Motto (1908-1933) - MS64+ CAC
Liberty $20, No Motto (1850-1866) - MS64 CAC
Liberty $20, "TWENTY D." (1866-1876) - MS62+ CAC
Liberty $20, "TWENTY DOLLARS" (1877-1907) - MS64+ CAC
St. Gaudens $20, High Relief (1907) - MS63
St. Gaudens $20, No Motto (1907-1908) - MS65+
St. Gaudens $20, Motto (1908-1933) - MS65 CAC
Fun topic to think about, thanks for posting.
Disclaimer: I like trimes.
Can anyone answer this question : if I have a $1 type 2 or $3 ms 64 cac and another person has them in ms 65+ cac - do they get equal weight in the registry ? Since those spots weight 6.00 & 5.00 respectively. Or do the higher grades also result in higher average points ? As in the registry uses both weight and graded??
So using the first example (MS64 coin), it would be 64 X 6.00 = 384. Divide the 384 by the Weight of 40 and you will get 9.600 points for that coin in that slot.
Using the second example (MS65+ coin), it would be 65.5 X 6.00 = 393. Divide the 393 by the Weight of 40 and you will get 9.825 points for that coin in that slot.
You can see the higher graded coin is worth more in that slot (9.825 verses 9.600)
I hope this explains it a little bit for you and I did not further confuse you.
Donato
Gold Dollar, Type 1 (1849-1854)
Gold Dollar, Type 2 (1854-1856)
Gold Dollar, Type 3 (1856-1889)
Draped Bust $2 1/2 (1796-1807)
Capped Bust $2 1/2 (1808-1834)
Classic Head $2 1/2 (1834-1839)
Liberty $2 1/2 (1840-1907)
Indian $2 1/2 (1908-1929)
Indian Princess $3 (1854-1889)
Draped Bust $5 (1795-1807)
Capped Bust $5, Large Bust (1807-1812)
Capped Bust $5, Small Bust (1813-1834)
Classic Head $5 (1834-1838)
Liberty $5, No Motto (1839-1866)
Liberty $5, With Motto (1866-1908)
Indian Head $5 (1908-1929)
Draped Bust $10 (1795-1804)
Liberty $10, No Motto (1838-1866)
Liberty $10, With Motto (1866-1907)
Indian $10, No Motto (1907-1908)
Indian $10, With Motto (1908-1933)
Liberty $20, No Motto (1850-1866)
Liberty $20, "TWENTY D." (1866-1876)
Liberty $20, "TWENTY DOLLARS" (1877-1907)
St. Gaudens $20, High Relief (1907)
St. Gaudens $20, No Motto (1907-1908)
St. Gaudens $20, Motto (1908-1933)
1) basic 8-piece
2) 20th century gold: add nm $10 and $20 as different types, plus any high relief saint) = 11 pieces. Bonus idea - add $1 and $2.5 commem slots for a 13 piece set. (I like this!)
3) Early gold intermediate set - start with the 8-piece and add the $3, any G$1, no-motto libs, classic heads, and "any" early $5 and $2.5. 16-piece
4) The 27-piece composition mentioned above.
5) The full 36 piece composition.
It seemed a reasonable grouping.
The dollar designs are all pretty in my opinion, just too small for many people's eyes to appreciate.
Donato
Always enjoy your posts double D.
I think the 8pc set came about because of folks not wanting to spend much more than melt years ago. The smaller the denomination the greater premium. Some things never change.
Type Sets:
5pc- Liberty
5pc- Indian/SG
10pc- Both above
12pc- Include Indian Princess Ty2 $ and 3 $
Would that make sense? Not sure how you could get to just a single dollar coin and call it a type set?
1. Should collectors be OK collecting just the coins they want, registry or not? Absolutely!
2. Should collectors who choose to partake in a particular registry set be ok not being competitive by choosing to not spend limited funds on filling every slot? Absolutely!
3. Should collectors who choose to partake in a particular registry set and wants it complete, be ok with buying some coins in lower grades to be able to afford to complete that set? Absolutely!
For ME, I was OK completing the 12 coin set. Had it been a 10 coin set, I would have been perfectly fine with that. For my personality, I choose to partake only in Registry Sets that I feel comfortable completing. That’s why I partake in DATE sets, like a Lincoln Wheat Date Set and an SLQ FH Date Set. I’m big on registry Type Sets, and partake in many. But there are also many Type Sets that I choose to avoid just because they would require many more coins (expensive ones) than I already own in my Dansco 7070 (like a 19th Century Type Set).
Due to requirements of certain registry sets that I chose to do since only a few extra coins needed to be purchased, I bought three additional gold coins than I had in my 12 coin gold type set - I bought Classic Head $2.50 and $5, and an 1803 $10. I’m “done” with gold, and I’m ok with that!
Steve
opinion. I just collect what I find and what I like, without specific sets in mind, so for me it works out better to have the small set options. I literally do not know what the next coin I will purchase will be- but I know it will find me when it’s time!