At least for now...

My primary collecting interest is the US-Philippine series, but I also actively collect any coin minted by the US Mint (or by private mints in the USA) for circulation in other counties. I created a custom set for these coins several years ago. (http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=433)

While reviewing population reports, I was surprised to find that quite a few are at the top of the chart, and in some cases are THE finest known, so I created a custom set just for these elite coins. (http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=11997) This is an unusual set since it may grow OR SHRINK over time.

For a coin to be included or remain in this set, there must be none graded finer by either PCGS or NGC. In the case of copper coins, a red coin is considered finer than a red-brown coin with the same numeric grade. Likewise, a deep or ultra cameo proof is considered finer than a cameo with the same numeric grade. Numeric grades always trump modifiers (e.g. a 66BN is considered superior to a 65RD). The Slot Name column is used to indicate the populations for NGC and PCGS and the number of coins that are finer (always zero). Coins that are the finest know are so indicated.

Many of the coins in this set are sparsely collected so very few have been graded (in some cases just one). Others have greater collector interest and are simply the finest to have been graded at this time. A few though have broader appeal and are truly among the finest existing specimens.

This could become a VERY high maintenance set, so it may not last if I find that it takes too much effort to maintain. My goal is to clean it up at least once per month, but at any given point in time there may be coins in this set that no longer belong.

The coin pictured below currently has the highest grade of any coin in this set.

Happy New Year to all, and may you each attain your goals for 2013!

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