Nervous...

It's just a heck of an expensive way to display them after you figure in the fees, shipping, and insurance...both ways!

Sorry, I can't get into the Registry set craze. Unless you're shooting for a Pop 1 type set and have gobs of money to throw away, I simply don't understand it. I also don't understand slabbing material just to put it behind hard plastic. There's a lot cheaper ways to create a beautiful collection. If you really want slabs, why not buy the Coin World slabs through the ANA catalog? They're great! Also, Dansco makes a beautiful album for Franklin half dollars (you just have to be careful about pushing the slides over your coins).

I find the Registry Set idea interesting at times but hesitate to do so due to the huge cost involved, especially in a large set. I must disagree with your notion that you will always know the precise value of your coins as slabbed coins are grossly overvalued and they will never be worth more than what any individual or dealer will give you on any given day. If you want to feel comfortable about the value of your coins, learn to grade them and KEEP them raw in airtites. Then you will have a closer idea of their precise value and the airtites will probably do a much better job than many slabs I have seen thru the years. Quite honestly, whether we like it or not, most collectors could care less about registry sets as they are, for the most part, all about self pride and bragging rights. The coins are only a means to an end and you also must keep in mind for every BU coin slabbed there are still thousands in private collections that are just as good, if not better, but they are not part of the grading company hype. I have always found it amazing the grading companies could say a coin is one of three or one of five finest known when in all reality they are saying one of five that has been slabbed. They have NO idea how many coins are really out there or how many are as good as or better than the one they are promoting. And, last but not least, its your collection and your money, so do whatever makes you feel good about your hobby. That is priority number one!

I had a complete Gem BU set of Franklins in a beautiful Dansco album for years. I was able to sell the entire album on one of these boards for a decent price. I don't believe the price would have been much or any better if the coins were in a bunch of slabs that would have to be kept in a storage box and make for poor viewing.

Airtites make an album for their product. I use Airtites for my ancient coins and I absolutely love them. If you get them, get the white or black ring insert (black might look pretty good against brilliant silver).

There are certain reasons I like to get coins slabbed by the services, but large coins like your Franklins that are likely not particulary high value or superb gem (MS66+), don't really necessitate slabbing.

I will add the fact that I received a tip a few months ago concerning the Franklin half dollar. It was to buy high grade or proof Franklins as quickly as possible and I have learned most national dealers are doing just that right now. A huge increase is coming to the Franklins and anyone who has collected in the past 15 to 20 years has seen the high grade Franklins slowly disappearing from their dealers stock. My dealer will manage a few now and then but I can remember the day when there were so many lying available that it wasn't a pressing issue to fill a set. Now it is and prices have already started to rise on the harder to find dates. Probably would be a good idea to keep a real close eye on this series and NOT to pass up any good deals at this time.

I forgot to ask if you had a link to the airtite holders, or is there an air-tite folder of some sort for the Franklins? Which diameter of airtite would I be looking for in order for the coin to not slide around? If I decide to pick up a Franklin Dansco album, would it tone the coins down the road? I like the look of an album, and it is a cost-effective alternative, so I will post in the wanted section of the forum to see if anyone has one to sell me. Thanks for all of your help!

I have quite a few registry sets and some I know will never make it into the top 10 which is fine with me, its just a place to show my coins with other collectors, but there is one set that I am currently in 2nd place and have the coins to make 1st place again (was 1st but someone added an illegal coin to their set, its illegal because NGC has it marked as DELETED which means someone has busted open the slab and turned in the label back to NGC) but no need to fret because as I said I have the coins to make 1st again, I just haven't put them in my registry set yet and probably wont do so until near the end of the year so the guy with the illegal coin will think he will get his certificate and then find out he wont because my set surpassed his at the last minute (feels like sniping an auction)