Numismatic Commentary
WINTER , 2010

JOHN DIRNBAUER

The NGC and PCGS Registries have been with us for the better part of a decade. They have most certainly affected the U. S. coin market. The great collections of the past 100+ years have been built by very wealthy individuals and families. Registry sets of U.S. coins are a way for mortal human beings to build collections of recognizable quality that are esteemed by the collecting world. Collectors should be well-versed in the fundamentals, structure, and nuances of the registry programs.

Registry sets allow collectors to catalog and display their collections online. By entering a coin's certification number, collectors can fill an appropriate "hole" in a set. This is the electronic version of filling a coin album. There are many dozens of possible collections, from half cents to double eagles, which have been established by both of the major grading services. The single significant difference between the registry sets of the two services is that the NGC Registry accepts both NGC- and PCGS-certified coins while the PCGS Registry allows only PCGS coins. Registry sets are a safe and secure way to share your collection with other like-minded individuals.

Following are the essential points to be known and understood regarding the Coin Registries:

1. The Registries are huge - much larger than most people realize. The depth and quality of the registered collections is unexpected and even surprising. To give meaning to this fact, please consider that over 95,000 sets are registered by approximately 10,000 different collectors, In every category of regular issue U. S. coinage, the top Registry Sets are very important collections that rival the most important collections of that series ever assembled.
2. The Registries clearly quantify the demand for a particular coin. If there is a low population certified coin that a number of Registry participants need, it is worth more than if the top collectors already have the coin. Twentieth century series coins with low populations are worth many thousands of dollars to Registry-level collectors and, thus, play a major role in determining true market value.
3. The Registries are a great way to gain visibility in the collector community. Both grading services rank order their Registry Sets and present annual awards to the collector/owners of the top sets in each category. The Registries are primarily a place for collectors to showcase their efforts. Many people have a competitive streak embedded in their personality and seek, to some degree, recognition for their most personal and important efforts.
4. The Registries are the single best way for a collector to track progress in building a collection, to maintain collection records, and to share the sheer joy of collecting. Registry Set collectors often communicate with like-minded souls through email or meet at conventions to "talk shop," or even trade coins. All of these efforts lead to a sense of connection to the collecting community and provide a path to the goal-accomplishment of building a meaningful and wonderful numismatic property. The Registries provide a social network of collectors, not unlike that of coin clubs. Because of these relationships, the Registries have become an established part of the very fabric of the collecting experience.

John Dirnbauer Rare Coins would be privileged to help you begin, expand, or complete an NGC- or PCGS-Registry Set of United States coins. Be sure to check out the inventory selections in TYPE COINS 1800 TO PRESENT. If I can be of assistance, just send an email to john@johndirnbauercoins.com or call me at 207.354.3573. It should prove to be an enjoyable and exciting experience for both of us.

Check back in April, 2010 for the next edition of NUMISMATIC COMMENTARY.

Bye for now . . . and good hunting.

(Thanks to Scott Schecter, Certified Collectibles Group, PO Box 4711, Sarasota, FL 34230. sschechter@collectiblesgroup.com)