I noticed this too. I even posted a question about it on the NGC website and the person in charge gave some nonsense answer. Either they didn't grasp the problem, or didn't care. What I would love is a 7070 style registry set that ignores modern coins.
I experienced the same frustration when I tried to fill a 7070 - one denomination of each of the Liberty Seated coins would have been enough for me, whereas I would have liked more slots for commemorative half dollars and dollars. As far as Dansco goes, the albums I find most useful are the blank ones. I have a blank small cents album that I populate with anything that catches my eye: an occasional Indian, various high-grade Wheaties, some nicely-toned Memorials, and an entire P-D set of the 2009 anniversary types. I'm not constricted to an ordained list of coins that don't interest me.
Personally, I've never understood type sets or cared much for them. I like coming up with unique sets that appeal to me. Like collecting a series: Toned Seated Liberty 25C Set 1932-1964 MS66 Toned Washingtons 1909-1958 MS64 BN Lincolns
I got very bored with collecting a series by date, but I an loving Type set collecting. I only have 27 of 100 coins in my custom Type set, and maybe when I have 10 varieties of seated lib, ill be bored too. The albums are harder to do custom set with, but with NGC Registry its very easy. I have my own custom Type set, with filled and empty holes (want list), anyone can make one free. Sent from my HTC6990LVW using Tapatalk
That's what I love about collecting! The thrill (and perhaps obsessive compulsion) to always upgrade and add as many bells and whistles into one's collection as possible.
OPs like me, he is a type collector that likes certain types of coins. It's no way I would buy a coin I really didn't like just to fill a hole. Spend that $$ on another you do like.
I think this feeling that overcame you is also what drives those collectors who ascribe to the "box of twenty" concept (20 great coins of any type, foreign or domestic). And, of course the 20 is elastic too!
The inherent risk of collecting series and sets — invariably the tail ends up wagging the dog. Exactly. Defining the set can be half the fun! I started getting interested in the British Empire about three years ago. That's 40-some colonies/territories/protectorates, etc. x multiple monarchs = way too many coins to "collect 'em all." I've been picking up pieces here and there, while simultaneously trying to figure out exactly how I want to structure the collection moving forward. Haven't resolved that yet, but I'm having a heck of a lot of fun along the way. When I started building a 19th and 20th century U.S. type set, I nixed mint mark variations from the outset, and also some other minor variations that I deemed irrelevant, at least to me. Consequently, putting the set together was fun and low pressure, which is the way it should be.
I know it is VERY unlikely that I will ever finish any type of set. My colletion is a clay blob that I'm constantly molding. I lean this way and that, but if I see a design that I like, I add it. This is a for instance: I think the history of Prussia is interesting. One of those empires that collapsed in recent history. This coin celebrates that dynasty, has a very interesting design and came from a world class collection. It was very affordable, so I added it to my collection. I have many other coins that were purchased for very similar reasons. There is no continuity in my collection, but that's how I like it. A controlled chaos if you will.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks a collector doesn't need to be confined in what they collect.
I'm exactly the opposite. I started very focused. However, I inevitably got to the point that I was down to those last few that might take a long time to track down. Given the need to constantly be increasing my collection, I started into a new denomination. The cycle repeated over and over and over and over..... Now I collect many different types of coins.