Achieving Interim Goals Is Fun!

I always had a bit of completeness compulsion. It shows up in my focus on finishing any sets started. Some sets are too expensive, so type sets and mint sets are a satisfying alternative.

Some large sets take a while. With these, I sometimes set interim goals to satiate my desire for completeness. In the past, prior to my desire to collect the entire Liberty Nickel series, my goal was to collect an uncirculated set of what I called my Trifecta: the 1885, 1886, and 1912-S.

Peters and Mohon ranked the three as follows:

85 -#3

86 -#1

12-S -#14

My unscientific gut-feel ranking was:

85 -#1

86 -#3

12-S -#2 (mostly because it is the only S-mm in the series)

With time, I have come to appreciate the 1886 more; but personally still rank the 1885 as #1.

I have owned the 1886 in EF-40 (I think the coin is a definite 45, and possibly 50) since 1996. The 1912-S I purchased in April, 2011. The 1885 in August, 2011. This month, I found the right 1886.

I now have my TRIFECTA!!!

1885 MS-62

1886 MS-64

1912-S MS-63

This should hold me while I search for the missing coins to complete the series.

I DO LOVE THE SMALL TRIUMPHS!