January 2007

Congratulations to our 2006 Registry Award Winners!

Posted at 1/4/2007 9:26:13 PM

As the NGC Registry continues to grow we, are delighted that the sense of community surrounding it also further deepens. Many thanks to all of the participants in the NGC Registry and contributors in the Collectors' Journals. Your combined efforts make the Collectors Society site a valuable resource for the hobby.

The task of choosing winners for the Registry awards is never easy. We set out to choose five sets in three competitive categories: Best Classic, Best Modern and Best Presented.

Additionally we chose four winners for Signature Sets in the following categories: Best Overall, Best World, Most Creative and Most Informative. The creativity of the Signature Sets is amazing and it was a pleasure to closely review so many unique sets.

Finally, we are honoring three outstanding Collectors' Journal authors. The journals are a "blog" of sorts that has become a tool for collectors to further share their collecting experiences.

Our team of experts, Rick Montgomery, Scott Schechter, Jay Turner and David Lange, reviewed all of the top sets across every category in the Registry and after much consideration, selected the following sets. Congratulations to our winners!

Best Classic Sets

Forsythe – Gerald Forsythe MS Buffalo Nickel Collection 1913-1938
Gerald's second time winning with this amazing collection, it's hard to beat high-grade Buffalo Nickels for a pleasing collection. The outstanding condition rarities include 1913 T1, 1914-S, 1919 and 1926, all in MS-68. The key dates are in superb grades, too. At the MS-67 level are such tough coins as 1914-D and 1916-S, while rarities such as 1913-S T2, 1915-S, 1918-D, 1921-S, 1926-S and 1937-D 3-legged are represented by wonderful MS-66 examples. The very rare 1916 DDO and 1918/7-D varieties are present, too, the former slot now upgraded with a MS-64 example. There are also three star-designated coins.

SLUGGO – The Slotkin Family Trust Proof Shield Nickel Set
Here's a first-time winning set, though the Slotkin name has already come to be associated with truly outstanding rare coins. This complete set of proofs abounds in spectacular gems, including PF-68 examples of the 1879/8 overdate and the 1881, the latter being a Cameo piece. Carrying the NGC star designation for outstanding eye appeal is the rare, proof-only issue of 1877 (PF-67-Cameo), while the proof-only 1878 is also PF-67. Included in this collection is the extremely rare 1867 With Rays nickel, a PF-66 Cameo beauty. Its No Rays counterpart offers a rare example of a Shield Nickel certified as Ultra Cameo!

CoinGuru – The Spaniard- Indian Head Half Eagles 1908-1915, Proofs
While the title doesn't tell much, the coins themselves speak volumes. This complete set of proof Indian Head Quarter Eagles is a first-time winner, and it's truly amazing. All eight entries in this short-lived series of 1908-15 are included, with none grading less than PF-66. The years 1910 through 1913 are an unbroken series of PF-67 superb gems, with the 1910 also carrying the coveted NGC star designation for superior eye appeal. All of these coins are matte proofs, with the exception of the 1909-10 issues, which have the satin finish sometimes called "Roman gold." For a collection in which only a few dozen examples are known for each date, completing this set is a monumental achievement.

First Strike Society – Everest Collection of Proof Morgan Dollars
Now a three-time winner, this collection of proofs never fails to amaze. Lacking just the 1881 issue for now, it is otherwise complete and features all three varieties of 1878, as well as the two finishes of 1921 proofs. Some of the finest coins in this wonderful set are PF-68- Ultra Cameo examples of 1896, 1898 and 1900. Other important condition rarities include 1878 8TF (PF-67 Cameo), 1894 (PF-67 Ultra Cameo) and 1901 (PF-68 Cameo). The key date 1895 is an extremely desirable PF-67- Ultra Cameo! The rare Zerbe and Chapman proofs of 1921 grade PF-66 and PF-67, respectively, the latter being one of the great rarities of American numismatics.

Merritt – The B. Merritt Collection - Gold Commemoratives 1903-1926
The series of classic gold commemoratives is a relatively short set, but one that includes some very rare coins. The B. Merritt Collection, a two-time winner, is complete and includes a very rare PF-66 Ultra Cameo example of the 1903 Louisiana Purchase Dollar with Jefferson bust. All of the gold dollars and quarter eagles are in superb condition, the highlight being perhaps the MS-68- example of the 1904 Lewis & Clark Dollar. Both varieties of the 1922 Grant Dollar likewise grade MS-68. Certainly the keys to completing this series are the magnificent fifty-dollar pieces dated 1915-S, and both of the coins in this memorable collection grade an impressive MS-65!

Best Modern Sets

G. M. Chow Collection – G. M. Chow Roosevelt Proof Collection
Here's a first-time winning set that really packs a punch. While Roosevelt Dimes are technically modern coins, the earliest pieces in this set are now more than 50 years old, which makes their condition truly remarkable. Perhaps the rarest entries are the 1950 and 1954 dimes, both of which grade an astonishing PF-68 Ultra Cameo. Among condition rarities, the 1951 and 1953 dimes are both PF-69 Cameo. The 1952 is a real beauty, grading PF-68- Cameo! From 1955 through the end of the silver series in 1964, all but the 1956 are nearly perfect, PF-69 Ultra Cameo pieces, making for a set of uniformly superb quality.

Michael R. Bianco, III – M. R. Bianco, Jr. MS Memorial Collection, Part 1
We seem to have some truly dedicated collectors of Roosevelt Dimes. This superb set of business strikes is complete from 1946 through 1964 and scores as a second-time winner. With a minimum grade of MS-67 throughout, the overall quality of this collection is quite impressive. In addition, most of the coins have been designated by NGC as FT (Full Torch). Condition rarities include 1946 (MS-68), 1948-S (MS-68- FT), 1950-D (MS-68- FT), 1956-D (MS-68 FT) and 1960 (MS-67- FT). Standouts among the scarcer dates include 1949 (MS-68), 1950-S (MS-68 FT), 1952-S (MS-68) and 1954-S (MS-67- FT).

Eagle1 - The Challenger Collection of $50 Gold American Eagles
Consisting of every Mint State gold, one-ounce American Eagle bullion coin from 1986 through 2006, this collection probably wins its class on weight alone! Included are both the Saint-Gaudens/Family of Eagles type, as well as this year's enormously popular debut of the American Buffalo gold coin. Every specimen is a stunning MS-70 example. Some of these have extremely low certified populations, the standout rarities being 1989, 1991, 1994 and 1996. Given the hot competition for American Eagle coins is this ultimate grade, the bringing together of every single date in one place is a noteworthy accomplishment, indeed.

Chauncy Renard – The Renard Collection
Now a four-time winner, this collection is a perennial favorite. The sheer number of coins required for completion of the modern commemorative series is staggering, but the uniformly high quality of this set is likewise almost unimaginable. All but two of the Mint State coins grade MS-70, and this set also includes a perfect, uninterrupted run of proofs grading PF-70 Ultra Cameo. With the quality of this set essentially unimprovable, the best thing to do is list some of the rarest pieces in high grades: 1982-D Washington 50c (MS-69), 1989-D Congress 50c (MS-70, upgraded from last time), 1992-S Olympics S$1 (PF-70 UC), 1994-P Vietnam S$1 (PF-70 UC), 1996-S Olympics 50c (PF-70 UC), 2000-P Leif Ericson S$1 (PF-70 UC) and 2001-P Capitol 50c (PF-70 UC).

FuzzyChaos – Wow!Pan Collection - Silver 10Y China Panda Coins - One Per Date
It's Panda-monium! Has anyone here been in the hobby long enough to remember standing in line for hours at coins shows during the mid-1980s for the chance to buy the latest release of China's gold and silver bullion coins? If you recall that time, then you'll know just how difficult it was and still is to complete this series of silver 10-yuan pieces from 1983 through 2006. Blending MS and PF coins, this set has a minimum grade of 69 throughout, with the last five years scoring the coveted MS-70 grade. Perhaps the real stars of this collection are the scarce 1983 and 1985 issues, both of which grade an amazing PF-69 Ultra Cameo.

Best Presented Sets

Rayshield - Five Times Dime – Kennedy Half Dollars 1964-Date Proofs
Though still a work in progress, this set boasts a great number of descriptions that are informative in terms of specific coin detail as well as personal information about this collector. A particularly unique feature of the presentation is the use of colored backgrounds to highlight and organize the images.

GSA_Gem_Quest - The Conde GSA CC Collection - Carson City Morgans in GSA Holders Only 1878-1893
If ever an education was needed in GSA CC Morgan Dollars, one need not look any further than The Conde GSA CC Collection. It exhibits a thorough introduction as well as interesting descriptions and pictures for every required coin in the set.

The Wihlborg Collection - Early Silver Commemoratives 1892-1954
The effort invested in the presentation of this set is immediately evident. The introduction and individual coin descriptions convey this collector's appreciation for each piece in the set. After viewing the consistently beautiful pictures exhibited with this set, it is no wonder that so many collectors are captivated by this series.

GGerald - GMONEY'S FULL MEAL DEAL - 20th Century Series Type Set, Non-Proofs Only
This husband and wife team is on a quest to find just the right examples to include in this set. The pictures and descriptive text provided for each coin gives us a sense of their journey so far. It will be fun to watch their future progress.

goldsaint - Young's Castle Collection - Early Half Dollars 1794-1839
This set is compelling enough in terms of the difficulty in acquiring the certified coins required to complete it. Add to it the good photos of each entry and informative historical text to accompany them and you have a set that is interesting on many levels.

Best Overall Signature Set

AOEDAD-TJ – So-Called Dollars .. set #1
This collection of non-monetary pieces wins top honors in 2006. It is comprised of medals and tokens relating to the World's Fairs and Major Expositions from 1876 to 1976. Most of the medals included are catalogued in Hibler and Kappan's seminal work on the so-called dollar series, but interesting related pieces assume the place of HK so-called dollars where they were a better thematic fit. Blank spaces are used to provide a place for introductory text about each of the Expositions represented. For each Fair, at least two items are included. Why two? One for the collector's son, and one for his daughter. This set includes much of what we look for in a great Signature Set. It is thematically defined, every item is well photographed and described, and, most of all, it shows the active agency of the collector.

Best World Signature Set

Siegfried89 – French 20 Franc Type Set
A pleasing and well-balanced type set of gold issues, each has an image and description of the type. This set is elegant in its composition, a straightforward type set of each of the designs of France's gold 20-Franc coin. This kind of set is very widely collected, and we love to see complete collections of matched quality in the Registry. This same collector is diligently working on several other sets, all equally well defined, photographed and described.

Most Informative Signature Set

Hoot – Transitional Pieces of 1836-40
This collector jumps across several series to engage U. S. coinage of 1836-40 in new and meaningful ways. This set is informative in three manners: First, it summarizes the circumstance and scholarship of these transitional coinage issues; second, it shows how a collection can be defined around a central concept, which dictates its scope and, in the best cases, immediately identifies the relevant issues; and third, it shows how coins may be described and presented for maximal contextual impact. While this collector has a long way to go before completing his set, it is surely among the most promising and captivating signature sets in the Registry.

Most Creative Signature Set

Jackson – High Seas
A compelling topical theme, it is well executed with a broad reach. A challenge to the collector was how to sort this collection. With a thematic collection, we find that the theme itself is the best means for sorting. In this case, the owner wrestled with different ways in which to arrange the coins before deciding that the most satisfying to him was to enter his favorites first and then just add new ones as they were acquired. The result is a charming nautical journey that spans all type and eras of watercraft, as well as both modern and vintage coin issues.

Collectors' Journals

The Collectors' Journal awards are our chance to highlight the great entries by our members. This area of the site is all about collectors sharing their passion for the hobby with each other. We're proud to give this award to the collectors who have done an outstanding job of journaling their collecting.

DM Merrill Associates, Inc.
DM Merrill's entries continue to be some of the best we've seen which is why we've selected him for a second year in a row. With every entry he manages to reveal more and more about the man behind the coins. He includes personal aspects of his collecting journey to which most anyone can relate. The entry titled ‘Herman's Coins' from 6-18-06 is one super example among many.

Bammer
Bammer's journaling allows us to truly share in his experiences as a collector. From keeping us updated on the progress of his registry sets to reports of his latest acquisitions to sharing tips about photography, his entries are always fresh and interesting.

Jackson
Jackson is arguably the most active of our journal contributors and as such he is impossible to overlook. His collection of entries is the embodiment of the spirit of the Collectors' Journals. It is essentially the diary of his complete collecting experience.

Best in Category

And as always, we have given out the Best in Category awards for the year. A full review of the winners, including lists of the Best in Category winners can be found on our 2006 Awards Archive page.

2006 Awards Archive

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Frequently Asked Questions: Submission Status and Turnaround Times

This is the first installment in a series of articles to address questions that are commonly asked of NGC. This month we focus on submission status and turnaround times.

Where do I go on the Web site to find the status of my submission?
Collectors Society members with paid full feature accounts can check the status and detail of their submissions online by choosing "My Order Status" from the Coins menu after logging in at www.collectors-society.com.

Also, regardless of whether you have a paid account or not, you are welcome to contact customer service toll-free by calling 1.800.NGC.COIN.

A customer service representative will be happy to provide the status of your submissions.

What are the different status types for a submission and what do they mean?

With what frequency does NGC post status updates?
Invoice updates happen in real time. When your submission reaches "Finalized/Images/Shipped," the online status will immediately update to reflect that.

I have a submission that has shown a status of "Scheduled for Grading" for several days. How long can I expect to wait before the coins are graded?

The time it takes for a submission to move through the different phases of the process depends on the tier of service you selected and the volume of submissions we have in house. So, for example, an Earlybird submission may make it quickly through the "receiving/verification" process and is "scheduled for grading," but if there are submissions with higher priority service types (like Express or Walkthrough) in the grading room, they will get done first.

With that said, we never hold submissions back because of their service type. So, if there are Express and Earlybirds in the grading process and we can get them all done, we will — regardless of the number days left in the projected turnaround time.

The best way to determine when your submission will be completed is to refer to our current turnaround times in the following link. Find the service type for your submission and you will see the current turnaround time for that service: http://www.ngccoin.com/services/services.asp.

Special note about turnaround times: Turnaround begins on the day coins are received at NGC. Turnaround times are approximate and not guaranteed.

If I submit an order through NCS and it then gets forwarded to NGC, will I see the order show up in my NGC order status screen after it leaves NCS and it passed to NGC?

Yes, when NCS forwards your submission to NGC, it will be assigned an NGC invoice number and it will appear in the NGC online order status screen.

These questions and answers were previously posted in the "Ask NGC" forum of the message boards. If you have not used the message boards before and would like to participate, click here to create your message board login. This login is different than a Collectors Society login. If you are a Collectors Society member and have not created a message board login, you will need to click the previous link.

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From the NGC Archives: 1882 Seated Liberty Half Dollar

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By 1882, Christian Gobrecht's classical representation of Liberty seated upon a rock had long been a familiar image, though the artist himself had died decades earlier. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the half dollar's reverse beginning in 1866, but this design had otherwise changed very little in the nearly 50 years since its inception. Unlike today, when half dollars are still coined but rarely seen in circulation, this denomination was among the most useful and popular coins during the 19th Century.

The falling price of silver after 1876 returned countless old silver coins to circulation, coins which had previously been exported for their bullion value. As demand for new pieces dried up, the minting of halves was greatly curtailed in 1878. A few thousand were struck each year through 1890 merely to curb numismatic speculation in what would otherwise have been proof-only issues. Scarce today, these low-mintage currency strikes are highly sought, and this wonderful gem is one of the finest survivors. Sharply struck and semi-prooflike, its pristine surfaces have acquired luscious, blended toning of amber, russet and aquamarine. Only 4,400 pieces were coined.

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Judges' Comments: Improving Your Registry Set with Coin Descriptions

When you look at a coin, you don't just see a date, a mintmark, and a grade on the holder. Instead, as a collector, you appreciate coins for their visual beauty as though they were a piece of art. As a collector, you see a coin as a unique historical artifact and discover its connection to a particular place and time. And as a collector, you can intuitively sense a coin's value, and you understand that this is something that can be maintained for future generations.

In the NGC Registry, one of the best ways to convey this experience of being a collector is to describe your coins. You can explain why a particular coin belongs in your collection, how you got it, and what makes it special to you. In other words, a good coin description allows you to share your passion for collecting, and that's a big part of the NGC Registry.

Coin descriptions are also an essential component of the NGC Registry competition. For one, they are an eligibility requirement for a Best Presented Award; the majority of coins in a set must be described for a set to be considered for this award. They also serve as a tie-breaker by elevating one set over another set with equal Registry points.

So, what's the best way to describe coins? Well, they're essentially three types of descriptions that we find in the Registry:

1. A description of a coin's physical attributes.
2. The story of the owner's relationship to the coin.
3. A historical appreciation or non-specific anecdote about the coin.

Let's take a look at an example of each type of description to give some inspiration as to how descriptions might be written:

1. A description of the physical attributions of a 1952 5C NGC MS67*, from Hoot's "Classic" Jeffs '38-'64, winner of Best Presented Set (2003):

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Upon spying this coin in a local coin shop, I was simply mesmerized by the astounding colors that it had so obviously become naturally over time. Virtually every color of the rainbow is to be found here. What's more, I was taken with how well preserved the surfaces of the coin were, which seemed to gleam with Mint lustre. I bought the set that the coin resided in without hesitation (some of its "siblings" also had complementary toning, and all had excellent strikes). Close examination reveals only about half of the steps of Monticello, but the vibrance and eye appeal of the coin more than make up for the slight deficiency of strike. Indeed, this coin is in a bit of a universe of its own, being only 1 of 8 Jeffersons to have ever attained the lofty grade of MS67 (0 higher, NGC/PCGS), and the only one to have ever attained the " * " designation. An absolutely delightful coin to behold, I could not be more pleased to have found this along the way. (01/23/03).

This example describes the colors, luster, and strike of a very appealing Jefferson nickel. Hoot has a bit of fun with his description, relating his reaction to the coin's colors and writing in a conversational style. Some collectors choose to be more technical, but this approach probably comes most naturally.

2. This description of an owner's relationship to a particular coin just makes us laugh. Here a collector describes a "missed acquisition" in a description of a 1950-S NGC MS67 in proofbarber's complete set of Washington Quarters, winner of Best Presented Set (2004):

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1950-S. Breen 4349. Stunning, snow-white satin luster with light bronze dartboard edges around the rim. Housed in a 2nd generation NGC holder, it has only one stray mark on the eagle's right wing.

Varieties Owned:
This is where I would like to say that I had a 1950 S/D in a PCGS 2nd generation holder in MS-65, but I cannot. Back at the beginning of November, there was just such a coin on Ebay, and I was just about to submit my bid when my old dial-up 56K Gateway computer locked up on me. The coin sold for about $750. Gateway computer donated to charity. New Hewlett-Packard purchased 19 Nov 2004, with cable modem. I'll never lose an auction again due to computer failure, I hope!

It begins with a description of a coin's attributes (as in example 1). When the owner talks about also wanting to acquire an over-mintmark variety, he's reminded of the one that got away. We always enjoy stories of how a coin was found, the negotiation that led up to its purchase, and the pleasure of owning it. It's really less about the coin than about being a collector.

3. Here a collector describes the historical circumstance of this coin. In some ways more detached and academic than the descriptions above. It relates to all examples of this type (1921 Peace Dollars), rather than the particular coin. But, it includes essential information, succinctly and well composed, and no less conveys a strong passion for these coins and their history. It's from the Lovvorn Collection, winner of a Best Presented Set Award in 2005:

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1921 (Philadelphia)
The 1921 Peace dollar is the only issue that exactly reflects the original Anthony de Francisci high-relief design. The coin required extreme striking pressure in order to fully form it and bring out the design. Thus, most coins of this issue are not very well struck, and boldly detailed coins command a premium. Many are also toned in a gray or yellowish color.

Subsequent to this issue, the design was modified to lower the relief (against de Francisci's wishes). Comparing a 1921 Peace dollar side by side with any later one will clearly show the differences.

This coin is a fully white blazer, dripping with mint luster, and is well-struck. It is, in my opinion, a perfect example of what the designer intended the coin to be.

Total mintage: 1,006,473
Relative gem (MS65) rarity: 19/24
Finest known: PCGS MS67 (6), NGC MS67 (2)

This description describes the coin's design and resultant problems in production. This description is in some ways anecdotal because it relates to all 1921 Peace dollars, but it provides information important to the collector. A brief description of the coins attributes (as in example 1) appears, but this collector has related it to the historical information preceding it. Mintage figures, a rarity ranking, and coin population figures are also provided.

Descriptions of this format are just some of the infinite ways to share your collecting passion in the NGC Registry. These expert tips from Registry judges should get you moving in the right direction. Look for other Judges' Comments features in future Collectors Society eNewsletters.

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