PCGS Set Registry

Robert · Senior Member

in order to have a "complete" set of Wheat Cents w/ varieties, per PCGS, you must now have the following:

1909 VDB DDO
1909S over horiz S
1917 DDO
1922-D Plain "Strong Rev"
1936 DDO Type 1 die 1
1941 DDO
1943D/D bold RPM
1944 D/S "bolder of 2 varieties"
1955 DDO

What should they add/remove?

I say 1956 D/S
1972 DDO (bold one)

coppercoins · Site Admin

I say do it right or don't do it at all. That's just my way of looking at it. Why would anyone include "some" die varieties and call it a "complete set" knowing there are so many more out there? That just doesn't hold water. They either need to be IN or they need to be OUT. Don't do it half way.

joeyuk · Advanced Member

Pcgs just wants to make money . If the collector does not feel 100% is attainable they won't chase it. There are some rare and expensive pieces on the list now. Of course the 1972 is on the list for 1959 to present, But the only one I think I would remove is the 1922 plain. I think this was the result of die polishing as opposed to being left off entirely. The 3 leged buffalo and the half with no designers initals are the same. I am probly wrong but I think of those as more like errors. The 1990 no S cent or any other missing mint mark coins are more like varieties. I am probly wrong by defination but that is how I look at their collectability. Only my opinion and everyone collects what they like. Joe

smed · Senior Member

There are as many ways to figure out what constitutes a set as there are collectors.

coppercoins · Site Admin

GarryN · Expert Member

It just seems that PCGS is the wrong authority to be making a pronouncement like that as if it was credible. They have a conflict of interest. The ANA or PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and others are more credible authorities to make that decision.
Also, Those coins listed look like the only varieties that PCGS will note on the holder. If NGC or ANACS tried to make that decision, with all the RPMs they attribute, there could be hundreds of varieties on the list.

But to play the game, I agree the 1956 D and S WDMM001 is a good addition and why not the 1943 bronze cents? Is that a variety or only an error?

And if PCGS wants to explore "Bold RPMs" how about the 1956 D RPM 1 and the 1960 D RPM 1?

Robert · Senior Member

I don't have the article in front of me, but I think it also said they'd include some varieties if they have 5 or more submissions to PCGS. So I guess if 5 of us submit an obscure variety, they might include it?

GarryN · Expert Member

Really, thats hard to believe. You would think more than 5 of some varieties would be sent in unknowingly, particulary in the Lincoln, Indian cent and Morgan Dollar series

Robert · Senior Member

OK.

I've dug out the article. Feb 9 edition, page 91.

"A 'with varieties' set will include every variety recognized by PCGS of which the firm has certified five or more examples in all grades."

So, if PCGS recognizes the variety (it's hard to not acknowledge some varieties...like 1960D RPM1 or the Hot Lips Morgan) and if they have 5 examples certified, it gets added to the registry list. Supposedly.

GarryN · Expert Member

You could read it either way, maybe it means that PCGS first has to recognize the variety. Then they will only require it be included in its complete set when they have slabbed 5 of them. So, in that context, they recognize the 1955 DDO as a variety then when they have 5 slabbed they announce it is necessary for a complete set.

They may believe that the 1956 RPM 1 is not a variety. Maybe they sit in a circle once a year and vote on this stuff. You submit 10 of them and they still do not believe it is a variety because when you get them back all the holder says is "1956 D" Crying or Very sad

Robert · Senior Member

If they recognize the 1943D/D "bold" RPM, how can they not recognize the 1960D arguably "bolder" RPM?

They obviously know what "RPM" stands for or they wouldn't have included the 43D.

GarryN · Expert Member

Yes they are pushing the envelope by recognizing a few RPMs and not others. They probably dont have the staff to spend so much time attributing them all.

Robert · Senior Member

Why not the "Top 50" or so? I'm sure Chuck could develop a list that balances RPM/DD "boldness" with price/availability.

smed · Senior Member

You want to know why they slab some and not others?

PCGS bullshit session

"Can we make money by slabbing this variety and putting a big price tag on our values page to highly and severly artificially inflate prices just like we have done and are doing with normal coins like modern proofs?

Yes.

Start slabbing them."

Robert · Senior Member

How much is PCGS's 1943D RPM worth in MS 65? And how many other non-"PCGS Registry" RPMs are valued at more than that?

I'm giving PCGS the benefit of the doubt. Is there a chance that the reason more RPMs aren't listed is that people aren't sending them in to be slabbed?

Maybe I'm wrong.