Expert Comments:
There are now over 11,000 sets in the PCGS Set Registry^SM. Picking this year's award winners was a daunting task. There are some truly spectacular sets in the Registry. Each of the judges (David Hall, John Dannreuther, and Gordon Wrubel) has over three decades of experience at the highest professional levels in the rare coin market. We have over 100 cumlative years of looking at the finest U.S. coins in existence and we feel that many of the sets in the PCGS Set Registry^SM are the finest sets of their type ever assembled. 

We were supposed to pick the best 10 classic sets, best 5 modern sets, and best 5 newcomer sets. That is impossible. There are just too many outstanding sets that must be recognized. So we are going to recognize the best 20 sets of the classic era (1792-1964), the best 20 sets of the modern era (1950 to present), and the 10 best new sets registered in the past 12 months. And in doing that, there's still many great sets that we have to leave off the awards lists.

We congratulate all of this year's award winners! And we want you to know that we are not only totally impressed with your numismatic accomplishments, but we are also very inspired by your numismatic passion and determination. Because of your passion and accomplishments, we are motivated to work even harder on the PCGS Set Registry^SM and make it even better for all participants. Thanks for letting us help you have fun with your coins.

David Hall, John Dannreuther, and Gordon Wrubel

Twenty Best Classic Sets (1792 to 1964) of 2004

High Desert - Complete U.S. Type Set (1792-1964)
The granddaddy of all type sets...every U.S. type coin ever made, including the gold. The High Desert set is an amazing numismatic accomplishment. All coins are very high quality, including the gold and the type rarities. This is one of the finest complete type sets of U.S. coins ever assembled...ever!

Jim McGuigan - Half Cent Collection (1793-1857)
Half Cents Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1793-1857)
Half Cents With Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1793-1857)
Half Cents Basic Set, Proof (1831-1857)
Half Cents With Varieties, Proof (1831-1857)
Dealer/collector Jim McGuigan has spent a good portion of his life assembling what is now one of the finest collections of all-time. He has the basic coins, the varieties, the proofs...it all adds up to a truly extraordinary half cent collection. We are in awe of this set and feel priviledged to have this collection be part of the PCGS Set Registry^SM.

Stewart Blay - Indian Cents Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1859-1909)
Stewart Blay has the greatest Lincoln cent set ever assembled. He also has an incredible set of Indian cents. The vast majority of the coins are Pop Tops and Stewart always has high end coins due to his great eye and relentless pursuit of the best of the best.

The Ally Collection - Indian Cents Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1859-1909)
There are two Indian cent collection receiving awards this year because there are two spectacular top-of-the-chart sets in the Registry. The Ally collection of Indian cents has lots of Pop Tops and great coins. The Blay set has a Set rating of 67.69, the Ally set is rated at 67.62. They are both fantastic.

Stewart Blay - Lincoln Cent Collection (1909-1958)
Lincoln Cents Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1909-1958)
Lincoln Cents with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1909-1958)
Lincoln Cents, Matte Proof (1909-1916)
Lincoln Cents, Proof (1936-1942)
Lincoln Cents, Proof (1950-1958)
Lincoln Cents, Proof (1909-1958)
The Hall of Fame Blay Lincoln cent set collection is one of the great accomplishments in 20th Century numismatics.

Bruce Scher - Three Cent Nickel Collection (1865-1889)
Three Cent Nickels, Circulation Strikes (1865-1889)
Three Cent Nickels, Proof (1865-1889)
Bruce Scher has done it not once, but twice. The Bruce Scher/Legend Numismatics Circulation strike Three Cent Nickels are the finest set we've ever seen. All but two of the coins are pop tops. the Bruce Scher/Ron Iskowitz Three Cent Nickel proofs are perfect...all Pop Tops!

Tom McCarroll - Buffalo Nickels Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1913-1938)
The Hall of Fame Buffalo set and one of the great sets of 20th Century numismatics.

Illinois Collector #1 - Buffalo Nickels, Proof (1913-1937)
This set is short, but virtually perfect. There are three PR69s, four PR68s, and one PR67. Seven of the eight coins are Pop Tops. A great set!

Joshua II Collection - Mercury Dimes FB with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1916-1945)
The Blay Lincoln cent set, the McCarroll Buffalo nickel set, and the Johua II Mercury dime set are all monumental 20th century sets. The Joshua Mercury dimes are off-the-charts and it's hard to imagine the tremendous effort that must of gone into building this extraordinary set.

Just Having Fun! - Standing Liberty Quarters, Circulation Strikes (1916-1930)
Standing Liberty Quarters Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1916-1930)
Standing Liberty Quarters with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1916-1930)
The Just Having Fun! set of Standing Liberty quarters, both the basic set and the with varieites set, is without a doubt the finest ever assembled. The basic set is finer than the DiCicco Hall of Fame set. Nearly every coin is a Pop Top and all but two are full heads. This is an amazing collection.

Manofcoins PCGS Collection - Washington Quarters Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1932-1964)
The Manofcoins silver Washington quarter set is the finest ever asembled. Most of the coins are Pop Tops and there are MS67 and MS68s galore. In a very competitive area of the Set Registry, Manofcoins is top dog.

Dr. Steven L. Duckor - Barber Half Dollars, Circulation Strikes (1892-1915)
Barber Half Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1892-1915)
Barber Half Dollars with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1892-1915)
The Hall of Fame Barber half dollar set of Dr. Steven Duckor is one of the best sets of an individual type we've ever seen. Steve has been at it for over 20 years and his Barber halves are incredible. The beauty of these coins is breathtaking. If he ever displays this set, be sure and take a look if you can. He's also started a Barber dime set...can the quarters be far behind???

Bruce Scher - Walking Liberty Half Dollars, Proof (1936-1942)
Perfection in every way! Every coin is a Pop Top, including the one-of-a-kind PR68 1936 and the PR69 1942. The best set of proof Walkers ever!

The Cardinal Collection - Early Dollars, Circulation Strikes (1794-1803)
Early Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1794-1803)
Early Dollars with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1794-1803)
This is a very, very difficult set to put together and the Cardinal collection is not only comprehensive, it is also extremely high quality. You cannot put a set like this together unless you have lots of patience and persistence, and lots of knowledge about the coins. A truly incredible numismatic accomplishment.

Legend Collection - Liberty Seated Dollars, Circulation Strikes (1840-1873)
So after you've put together the finest set of Trade dollars ever assembled, what's next. I guess you put together the finest set of Liberty Seated dollars. When the owner of this set first started his journey into the Liberty Seated dollar series, we thought it would take him 10 years to reach the lofty heights in Seated dollars that his Trade dollars occupy. He did it in less than two years! It's hard to describe the magnitude of this accomplishment. In our three decades of looking at Liberty seated dollars, we've never seen anything that even comes close to this set.

Legend Collection - Trade Dollars, Circulation Strikes (1873-1878)
This Hall of Fame set is by far the finest ever assembled and the construction of this set is a numismatic accomplishment of the highest level. Check out the scans of these coins...they are gorgeous!

California I - Peace Dollars, Circulation Strikes (1921-1935)
Mr. Silver Dollar has several great sets of both Morgan and Peace dollars. He also has a great collection of VAM Morgan dollars. We feel his number one Peace dollar set is the finest ever assembled. All but three coins are Pop Tops and the set includes the unique MS66 1928-S and the unique MS67 1923-S. This is a very important coin series and one of the most avidly collected. To put together the finest set ever is a major numismatic accomplishment.

Bruce Scher - Silver Commemoratives, 50 Piece Type Set (1892-1954)
Bruce Scher has three sets winning an award this year. It almost doesn't seem fair. But his sets are so incredible that they just couldn't be ignored. This 50 piece silver commem set has MS67 and MS68s galore and the vast majority of the coins are Pop Tops. What a great set!

Southern Collection - North Carolina Gold Collection (1831-1850)
North Carolina Gold Type Set (Bechtler 1831-1850)
North Carolina Gold Basic Set (Bechtler 1831-1850)
Territorial gold is a new area this year for the PCGS Set Registry^SM. But Territorial gold has been avidly collected for more than a hundred years. The problem is that the coins are all so darn rare. The Southern collection of North Carolina "Bechtler" gold is very complete and very high quality. Some of these coins only appear on the market every 5 or 10 years, so the completion of a set of North Carolina gold is a major numismatic accomplishment. The quality of this set is extraordinary.

Robert H. Lande - California Gold, Complete Collection, Period One
This is a big set with lots of coins and many rarities. The Robert H. Lande collection is very comprehensive and extremely high quality. Six of his varieties are the only ones that have been certified by any grading service in any grade, and thirty six are Pop Tops.

Honorary Classic Set Award

DWG - Morgan Dollars Prooflike, Basic Set (1878-1921)
Dennis Gigeous passed away unexpectedly this year. We honor his set of Prooflike Morgan dollars, one of the finest ever, and we honor the memory of his passion and friendship.

Twenty Best Modern Sets (1950 to date) of 2004

Cameron Stanley - Lincoln Cents, Proof (1950-Present)
Lincoln Cents Basic Set, Proof (1950-Present)
Lincoln Cents With Varieties, Proof (1950-Present)
Lincoln Cents Basic Set, Proof (1959-Present)
Lincoln Cents With Varieties, Proof (1959-Present)
The Cameron Stanley set of 1950 to date proof Lincoln cents is the finest ever assembled in four different categories. The collection has lots of Pop Tops and lots of PR70DCAMs.

Just Having Fun! - Jefferson Nickels FS Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1938-1964)
In a very hotly contested set, the Just Having Fun! set is truly exceptional. The coins are virtually all Pop Tops, including several Pop Top Ones. All of the coins are Full Steps except the virtually non-existent 1960-D. A fantastic set of Jefferson nickels.

Ray Overby - Jefferson Nickels FS, Circulation Strikes (1965-Present)
The Ray Overby set picks up where the Just Having Fun! set leaves off. This 1965 to present set is loaded with Pop Tops and the owner's descriptions of the coins in the Registry shows his passion well.

The Corso Collection - Jefferson Nickels with Varieties, Proof (1965-Present)
We have lots of Jefferson nickel sets this year because we have lots of incredible Jefferson nickel sets! The Corso collection of 1965 to present proofs is outstanding, as are his other Jefferson sets.

William Walser - Roosevelt Dimes FB, Circulation Strikes (1946-1964)
Full Band Roosevelts are new to the Registry and William Walser has built a killer set. Walser is no stranger to the top of the Set Registry list as he has had many fine sets in many different series. He always tries to go all the way and his Roosevelt set is a prime example of his determination as a collector.

EBL III Collection - Roosevelt Dimes, Proof (1950-1964)
EBL III has a Hall of Fame set of proof Franklins and his proof Roosevelt dime set is also incredible. Fourteen of the fifteen coins are Pop Tops and several are one of a kind. Check out this set and notice how many of the coins are low Pop, Pop Tops.

White Fang - Roosevelt Dimes, Proof (1965-Present)
Roosevelt Dimes Basic Set, Proof (1965-Present)
Roosevelt Dimes with Varieties, Proof (1965-Present)
As close to perfection as you could come. All but two coins are Pop Tops. An extraordinary set.

Plowman - Washington Quarters, Circulation Strikes (1965-1998)
The Plowman set of 1965 to 1998 Washington quarter circulation strikes must have definitely been a labor of love as these coins are much rarer than people realize. This set has many Pop Tops and no weak spots.

Honeycutt - Washington Quarters, Proof (1965-1998)
The Honeycutt collection of 1965 to 1998 Washington quarter proofs is truly outstanding. Nearly every coin is a Pop Top and nearly every coin is a PR70DCAM!

Donn Murphy Collection - Washington Statehood Quarters, Circulation Strikes (1999-Present)
In one of the most avidly collected modern sets on the planet, Donn Murphy has managed to build a virtually unimprovable set. Amazing quality!

D.M.H. - Washington Statehood Quarters, Proof (1999-Present)
Every coin but one is a Pop Top. Every coin but one is a PR70DCAM. Where did he find all those 70s?!?!?

EBL III Collection - Franklin Half Dollars Basic Set, Proof (1950-1963)
This Hall of Fame set is beyond imagination. All but one coin are Pop Tops. There are three incredible unique-for-the-grade monsters, the 1950, 1952, and super rare 1959. A truly amazing set.

Richard Green Collection - Kennedy Half Dollars, Circulation Strikes (1964 to Present)
Kennedy Half Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1964-Present)
Kennedy Half Dollars with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1964-Present)
Kennedy Half Dollars Silver Short Set, Circulation Strikes (1964-1970)
The Richard Green set of circulation strike Kennedy half dollars is the set by which all other Kennedy sets will always be measured. This is a truly amazing set with loads of low Pop, Pop Tops.

The Cris & Eddie Santos Collection - Kennedy Half Dollars, Proof (1964-Present)
A mind-boggling, truly amazing set. There is only one coin in the set that is not a Pop Top.

James Sego JMS Coins - Eisenhower Dollars, Circulation Strikes (1971-1978)
Eisenhower Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1971-1978)
Eisenhower Dollars with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1971-1978)
This is a very difficult set to build in the highest grades. The James Sego sets, both the basic and with varieties, are the finest of all-time.

DRG - Susan B. Anthony Dollars, Circulation Strikes (1979-1981, 1999)
Total and complete perfection in a set. Every single coin is a Pop Top, including the unique-for-the-grade 1979-P and 1981-S. You think your serious about your set? The owner of this set looked thru 70,000 1981-S SBAs to find his MS67!

Pittsburgh Collector - Modern Commemoratives, Circulation Strikes (1982-Present)
The "Pittsburgh Collector" has a nearly perfect set of modern commemoratives, and we really mean perfect. Nearly every coin is a MS70!

Lauren's Gold and Silver Set - Silver and Gold Eagles Complete Set, Proof (1986-Present)
Wow! Count the PR70DCAMs. This set is fantastic.

Leonardo Garcia - Platinum Eagles Collection (1997-Present)
Platinum Eagles Complete Set, Circulation Strikes (1997-Present)
Platinum Eagles Complete Set, Proof (1997-Present)
Leonardo Garia has lots of Platinum Eagle sets and they are all great. His complete circulation strike set and complete proof set are the finest of all-time.

Wren's Delight - 1965-67 Special Mint Sets
"Wren's Delight" has done an outstanding job in a highly specialized area of the modern market. This is a great set of coins!

Best Set Registry Newcomers of 2004

Jim McGuigan - Half Cent Collection (1793-1857)
Half Cents Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1793-1857)
Half Cents with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1793-1857)
Half Cents Basic Set, Proof (1831-1857)
Half Cents with Varieties, Proof (1831-1857)
What can we say? The Jim McGuigan half cent sets are new to the Registry and they are going into the Hall of Fame. It was a priviledge to grade all these wonderful coins.

Carl Womack - Buffalo Nickels with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1913-1938)
Carl Womack registered his Buffalo nickel set and what a set! It's the number one with varieties set of all-time.

Just Having Fun! - Jefferson Nickels FS Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1938-1964)
Just Having Fun! added his great Jefferson set to the Registry this year to go along with his fantastic set of Standing Liberty quarters (a 2004 Hall of Fame set). The Jefferson set is about as nice as one could imagine.

D.M.H. - Washington Statehood Quarters, Proof (1999-Present)
We don't know how long he's had all these PR70DCAMs, but we are impressed!

O'Mai Taswell - Eisenhower Dollars, Proof (1971-1978)
Tied for number one set of all-time. Not bad for a "rookie."

The Kutasi Collection - $5 Indians, Circulation Strikes (1908-1929)
John Kutasi is a relative newcomer to the big time world of 20th Century gold set collecting, but he's done a fantastic job in a short period of time. He has a great set of $10 Indians and $20 St. Gaudens, but the $5 Indians are our personal favorite.

The Gagleard Kids Collection - Silver Eagles, Proof (1986-Present)
Every single coin is a perfect 70! What more can you say? The Gagleard kids know how to get the job done.

The Smith Family Collection - Silver and Gold Eagles Complete Set, Circulation Strikes (1986-Present)
This is a pretty big set by modern standards and the Smith Family collection is the finest of all-time. We hope they truly have done this as a family as it seems like building a set this nice would be a lot of fun.

JMS Coins - Collectors Mint Set, Circulation Strikes (1970-2000)
This was a brand new set added to the Registry this year at the request of numerous collectors. The JMS Coins set finished the year at the top of the list.

Elite Cameo - 1950-1964 Proof Set
We feel that this is one of the most important of all modern coin sets and the Elite Cameo set is the best in the Registry. Take a look at this impressive set and take some time to read the owners comments and explanations. We admire this collector's passion and we are very impressed with his results.

Best Canadian Set of 2004

Lantern Collection - Canadian Coins Complete Set, Circulation Strikes (1858-1952)
Collecting a whole country...a very ambitious goal. "Lantern" is only 76% complete but this collector looks pretty serious to us. We're all rooting for you!

Best of the Registry Certificate Winners of 2004

(#1 set in each category with at least 65% completion, 6/30/04 10:00pm EST)