Modifications to the Top Pop Bonus Plan Coming Soon to the Registry

Several weeks ago we rolled out a plan which would award bonus points to those holding the highest graded coins in their Registry sets. This had been in the works since it was announced at last year’s PCGS Set Registry luncheon in Chicago at the ANA.

Over the course of a few weeks we heard from a number of our collector friends and realized that some modifications needed to be made to take into account many of the various scenarios that can be found in the Registry. Although participating in the Registry is easy, the software that runs it is complicated. So the enhancements we are making are not simple to do, but necessary to complete the Registry weighting upgrades.

Here are the details:

Our initial plan awarded bonus points to coins with 1/0 and 2/0 populations. Now we will be giving a bonus point to coins with populations greater than 1, none higher. More points for more people.

We realized that awarding points in the Type and Date sets is even more complicated because multiple coins are involved. We may eventually revisit the weighting for Type and Date sets, at which point we’ll have a system to allow Top Pop bonus points in Type and Date sets, but for now, none will be issued.

We are allowing bonus points in Basic sets, but because minor varieties can be used to fill a slot in these sets, we are identifying the "parent" coin number as the best example for the slot. This means that if you register a #95820 1943 25C DDO pop 1/0 quarter, you will get bonus points because it is a "parent" coin number. However, if the coin you registered is #145619 1943 DDO FS-102 Pop 1/0, you will not receive bonus points because it is a "child"” of #95820. This is not true in the Major and Complete Variety sets where all coin numbers are considered.

Coins in Low Ball sets will receive bonus points if they are the lowest graded coin. The same rules are applied only in reverse.

Top Pops in Everyman sets will receive bonus points if the coin registered is the highest graded allowed, which in the Everyman sets is 58+. Example, if there is only one 58+ graded and 10 MS60s graded, 2 bonus points are given to the 58+ regardless of the MS60s graded.

For coins with FB, FH, FL or FS suffixes, bonuses will be given to the highest graded coin with none graded higher. Non-FB, FH, FL or FS coins do not qualify for bonus points. Example, a 1916-S 10C MS67+ pop 1/0 will not receive bonus points, but a 1916-S 10C MS67FB pop 21/0 will get a bonus.

Mint State copper with BN, RB or RD suffixes will receive bonus points, first for the top RD. If no RD is graded, then the top RB. If no RB is graded, then the top BN. Example, three different grades are registered for an 1850 1/2C. MS65BN pop 1/0, MS64RB pop 1/0, MS64RD pop 1/0. The 1850 1/2C MS64RD pop 1/0 receives the bonus points because it is the highest graded RD for the date.

For proof copper, BN and RB don’t count unless there are no RD, CA or DC for the date. For example, a 1916 1C has MS67BN pop 1/0, MS67RB 3/0, and a MS66RD 3/0. There are No CA or DC for the date. The MS66RD gets a bonus point.

For coins with CA/DC, PL/DM and BC/BD suffixes, the top grade is the determining factor. So using the following examples, if a PR67, PR66CA, PR66DC are registered, PR67 gets Pop Top bonus points. If a PR67, PR67CA, PR66DC are registered, the PR67CA gets Pop Top bonus points. If a PR66, PR66CA, PR66DC, then the PR66DC gets the Top bonus points.

The above rules only apply to the Top Pop bonuses. If suffix bonus points or deductions are present in a composite, those points or deductions are still applied and calculated into the set rating.

We are hoping to have the final programming in place next week. Once we begin recalculating all the composites in the Registry, it may take a number of days before you see any changes in your set should it qualify for Top Pop bonus points.

Thank you for your patience while we work through all the various Registry scenarios. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Thank you.