How Popular Is The Registry Set Concept?

I've pulled every coin out of every slab I've ever bought...

I'm not really at the point in my collecting to have the kind of coins that would be good for a registry set, but even if I did I don't want to announce to the world all the high value coins I have.

do you find registry sets a good source of tracking your collection? or do you use other means? a spreadsheet, perhaps, to track what you have in each of the different sets you collect?

cc9999 http://www.coinvaluesonline.com/con...ome&visitor={1302B4B8-D04D-4F93-99D4-09C97D6029F7} Its off Coin Worlds site, so its safe. You can keep track of your inventory here for free. Will also add current values. Check it out, you might like it.
IMO this is probably the best system I've seen, Its called Collectors Assistant.
They even have a grading assistant. But its a little costly. Heres the link, http://www.carlisledevelopment.com/...lecting.html

At the risk of being labeled as 'well heeled' ... I admit that I do have a PCGS registry set and am writing to offer my views on the topic.

There exists a certain negative stigma associated with registry set collectors ... the comments above are truthful from the perspective of the respondents ... and reflective of a general impression that registry sets are gimmicks for slab happy folks who could care less about the coins themselves.

I readily admit that some of this reputation is deserved ... there certainly are folks who pay outrageous sums of money to acquire the top-population grade coins ... in the spirit of being competitive in the set ... and without regard to the merits of the actual coin. For that very small sub-set of the collecting public the number (grade) means more than the coin.

Then ... there are the other 99.8% of us who could never afford the top-population coins ... we enjoy the registry set concept as a method to share with others our dedicated efforts to build a set that meets our needs.

IMHO ... the huge majority of registry sets out there ... regardless of TPG ... are being built by folks like me and you ... collectors of reasonable means, who slowly add a special coin in pursuit of personal goals ... not fame.

Sooo ... that said ... I have a registry set.

Many of you recognize my collecting passion and shared posts for Classic US silver commemorative ... and in my years of pursuing this set I have created a PCGS registry set that showcases for all to see my current 49 of the the 50 type coins needed for the set.

My set will never be a 'top set' ... I'm listed somewhere around #48 best or so ... but my goal is not 'top set' ... my goal is lovely no-toned coins with great history.

I use the registry set as a way to share and compare ...

Take a chance on this ... go to the PCGS registry site ... find my set in the 50-coin classic silver commemorative type set ... "No-Toning Set" ... and leave me a comment.

That IMHO what registry sets are about ... not blind pursuit of grades ... but a standard to compare to and a place to share.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking with it.

David

Edit ... cc99999 feel free to ask any questions either in this thread or send me a PM

No time for that. I collect coins, not plastic. I've never kept a coin that was in a slab. I like Albums. I keep almost all coins in Albums and just don't see the need to have coins registered. I do this as a hobby, for fun, for enjoyment. Getting involved with registry sets is great for those that like those aspects of collecting.
With coin collecting there are collectors for fun, for seriousness, dealers, fanatics, dedicated, enjoyment, a way to spend time, a way to meet people, a place to go on weekends, web sites for all of the above and on and on with things about this hobby. If yours is a registry set, so be it.
I just keep looking at my change for that 1913 Liberty Head Nickel for my Album.

All of the above posters opinions are true. There is also one more aspect of this....the coins themselves.

NO two coins are alike. There is usually a hint of difference between an MS66 and MS67. Or...a VF35 to XF40. Use these sets and the digital world to your advantage. The more experience you have, the better off your purchasing decisions will be.

I doubt there is a true coin collector out there that has bought/traded for a coin, got it home, and asked themselves, "what is this...this is NOT what it looked like when I bought it".

Almost happened to me yesterday. Fellow board member was selling a couple items. When I sat down and looked at what I currently have, my coin is a touch better. Not much, but enough that I did not purchase one item. It is a nice coin, but I would have had a spare once it made it to my house.

Some of the best threads on this site are the "grade me" posts. Love them. Even if I don't own any or collect the series, I still look. Paid off two weeks ago. Online dealer had a NICE common date 1916 Mercury dime. They listed it as MS and priced at $40. After shipping, total was $44 to my door. Sold it at my local coin club for a nice profit of $20. Could have held out for more, but this was one for his type set....it is a blast white, full split band, no tone, stunning coin. Why did I buy it? I knew it was well underpriced and is a stunning coin. This site helped in that purchasing decision. BUY THE COIN! THAT coin said, that is one heck of a deal.

For me, Buffalo nickels and Standing Liberty quarters are the hardest for me to grade. I keep watching, listening, and learning....

Good luck. Grading is subjective...therefore, so is registry sets. Personally, 98% of the toned coins out there, I don't like. The toning is only going to keep affecting the metal in some cases.

Of note, registry sets will not let you predict what the market (people) is buying.

So grading is subjective. So is eye appeal. Good luck! :)