By best, I mean a combination of quality and completeness of a particular issue. Considering all sets, I’m not sure. For some sets, like CC Morgans, it’s hard to believe there could be a better collection than the top-rated registry set … a number of MS68s, average grade better than MS67. However, I have seen sets of a particular issue come to auction, and those sets were better than the best registry set. And I’ve been told by a few dealers and a TPG grader that there are sets of certain issues out there that are better than any registry set. Could be an unanswerable question. Any insights? Cal
It makes me feel inadequate looking at those kinds of sets lol! If I ever happen to find myself holding a top pop coin, I will gladly sell it to one of those pushing for the best out there. It would certainly help with filling out some of my albums!
The registries have two flaws. First, there are over graded coins in slabs. That makes these sets look better than they are. Second, there are some collectors who wish to remain anonymous. They don’t want to reveal their holdings for various reasons. I have some highly rated collections of the Classic Head $2.50 (1834 to 1839) and $5.00 (1834 to 1838) gold pieces. I know darn well there are better sets than what I’m showing, yet I’m rated as #1 on the NGC registry for one of the sets and even high up on the PCGS for the quarter eagles. You might get an ego boost by being high on a registry, but don’t kid yourself. There is usually better stuff out there than what you have.
In all honesty, the truly great collections are probably locked away in a home safe or Swiss bank vault, well beyond the prying reach of governments. Their owners probably know better than to advertise the existence of the collections in question!
I have to agree with John on this one.. while there are many very fine registry sets on pcgs, ngc and now even cac is starting one. I think the the long run you will find that the finest sets of all are in private collections very very seldomly seen by the public if only for security/safety reasons.
The label "best" is arbitrary and relative to the goals and objectives of the individual. Therefore, I can't attempt to answer the posted question. I have a complete set of CC Morgans that blend in with the scope of my collection. They don't stand out or detract from the overall eye appeal of "set". So, I can say mine is the "best" since all the coins complement each other and look good together.
The reason I even started a registry set to begin with is because it’s a super easy way to keep track of what coins you still need for any given set, especially a type set. To answer your question, I would say that whether or not the top set in any given category is truly the top set on earth will never be known. As stated, I’m sure there’s other collectors with better sets that don’t want it to be known or just couldn’t care less about dumping their info into a TPG’s website.
Well for starters, I doubt any museum is in the Registry. I have to believe there are some mighty fine sets just in museums. And if we look at the top collections we know about, or the top coins being sold... I don't often see those in the Registry!
Let's hope they aren't being "conserved" the way some museums (*cough* Smithsonian) have done in the past.
