Building A 50 Coin Classic Commemorative Type Registry Set

At the bottom of the expanded article, they discuss the following pricing generalities. With this in mind, in early 2019 I started putting together a Registry set shown in the hotlink below their pricing comments. Bold is by me:

In fact, some Classic Commemorative Half Dollars sell today for as little as 10% of their 1989 highs, and most can be purchased for between 20% and 35% of their late-'80s prices.

This does not mean prices won't decline further, but in recent years prices for many commemorative coins seem to have stabilized following decreases in the 1990s. Nobody has a crystal ball to tell if prices will increase in the future should interest in commemoratives increase. But for those who want to capitalize on building a fantastic assemblage of scarce, interesting coins at seemingly fortuitous price levels, the Silver Commemoratives 50-Piece Type Set, Circulation Strikes (1892-1954) Registry Set is well worth a look.

Here's the Digital Album of my Registry 50 Coin Classic Silver Commem Set:
https://www.PCGS.com/setregistry/u-...album/189058

Steve

@Winesteven - I enjoy the photos of your lovely CAC type set, and salute your collecting accomplishment. You can find mine 2 behind yours as Chesapeake Collection.

I pursued the 50-coin MS type set between the years 2009 and 2012. Much of that chase was documented here at CCF with the final coin being a lovely MS66/CAC Cincinnati.

As I was nearing the completion of the type set I came across a well worn Stone Mountain at a show and, well, the rest is history.

I took 8 or 9 years but I finally completed another 50 coin type set, all PCGS certified and all in circulated state. To the best of my knowledge no-one else has completed both type sets in PCGS problem free stats.

There was (and remains) tremendous collecting challenge in finding honestly circulated examples of these coins which, generally, were not intended for circulation.

There is a long running CCF thread documenting my journey chasing circulated examples.

Along the way I've met a lot of collectors and make some real collecting friends - amongst them commems who truly is the expert on the series.

About the pricing comment:

I have not dabbled with upgrades for my MS set since I finished it in 2012. I recently reevaluated the current value of those coins (all PCGS MS/CAC) and I'm 40% down over what I paid at time of acquisition.

Rather then be discouraged (this is a hobby, not a business) it has incentivized me to plan for several upgrades. I'll hopefully be active again showing my CCF friends some new commemorative coins!

No question that the classic silver commemorative set has brought me great collecting joy and I commend the pursuit to each of you.

@nickelsearcher - Wow! What you have accomplsihed is so VERY special! As you correctly point out, these coins were not intended for circulation, so finding NICE circulated commems is so very difficult!

While the time period that your MS set was put together had prices higher than now, it is what it is, and as you clearly indicate, we're in this for the FUN and enjoyment, and both you and I have been rewarded for that. As you indicate, you can now find upgrades at pricing less than it was a decade ago! Fortunately, the spread in pricing between commems with CAC's vs. those without CAC's is not large at all.

I just took a look at your MS set. GORGEOUS! Unlike the majority of collectors who prefer toned coins (perhaps to prove "originality"), you and I are in that large but silent group who prefers our silver to look like it was made yesterday, as the designors envisioned for these coins to look. Yes, in all likelihood at some point they were dipped, but apparently they were dipped gently enough to still merit the CAC stickers. This allows the full brilliant luster hidden underneath the "skin" to come alive and show its beauty - just like Cinderella!

Happy Hunting!

Steve