Proof me wrong! Question about proofs

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by gbroke, Nov 10, 2010.

  1. gbroke

    gbroke Naturally Toned

    So I completed my Dansco album of uncirculated Jefferson nickels (less 10 that are not BU) and thats when I realized that just because the holes were filled, that I don't actually have a complete set. Since the album is called "Jefferson Nickels w/proofs" I assumed I was done! Well then I was flipping through the redbook and noticed all of the Philly proofs starting from 1938. So I started purchasing these as well. The last few I need are getting pretty expensive ('38-'42).

    As a fairly novice collector, I actually thought that if it was minted in San Fancisco, it was a proof. I now know that not to be correct. Especially for coins pre - 1964.

    So here are a few questions.

    Why wouldn't the album actually have holes for the earlier proofs?

    Would you call your collection complete if you replaced the 'P' uncirculated mint nickels with corresponding proofs for that same year or didnt have the early proofs at all?
    Or would you add another page to the album for those proofs?

    Why were proofs struck in the early years? Were there actually 'proof sets' made for collectors and are they all from the Philadelphia mint?

    My ocd is kicking in!
     
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  3. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    The album is for all the business strikes and the proof ONLY issues. If you look you will see that it does not have two holes for San Francisco in 1968,69, and 70 even though they made both business strikes and proofs with S mintmarks in those years.

    Yes there were proof coins from Philadelphia. Philadelphia made proof coins for most years for collectors from 1858 to 1964. As a rule though from 1858 to 1950 they were sold as individual coin not as "sets". If you wanted say just a 1938 proof jefferson nickel you could buy just the nickel. Beginning in 1950 they changed that and you had to buy the whole set of coins. In 1968 proof coin production moved from Philadelphia to San Francisco. The reason was because San Francisco had been reopened to help with the coin shortage of the Mid 1960's. Once the shortage was under control wo mints could handle the demand but it would be tight so rather than close San Francisco again they moved much of the collector coinage production there freeing up space and capacity at Philadelphia.
     
  4. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    Edit....conder beat me. :)
     
  5. gbroke

    gbroke Naturally Toned

    Excellent response Conder. That is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you! Now I just wonder if i should be replacing the business strikes with the early proofs. I understand thats a perosnal choice, but just wondering what other people do. Would my set be considered complete if i dont have those business strikes in there... I probably have bigeer things to worry about, but ya know.
     
  6. coinman0456

    coinman0456 Coin Collector

    This is the hard way to learn that you may not be able to complete an entire set . Rest assured, your not the first collector to be faced with this situation. What you have already accomplished is quite commendable and I urge you to make the needed additions as you are financially capable of doing. When you are ready , some photo's would be appreciated . Kudo's !!
     
  7. gboulton

    gboulton 7070 56.98 pct complete

    IMO, a set is "complete" when the collector decides it is. (S)He says "I want a set of all objects X that meet the following criteria Y" and then 'completes" such a set. Period.

    For me, personally, I've always found the Redbook to be a nice guideline. My criteria for a 'set" is "Is it in Redbook for that type?" if it is, then i feel my set should have one, otherwise i consider the item an interesting (and perhaps even desirable) variety or error, but not necessary for ME to feel that the set is 'complete".

    Your mileage may, of course, vary...and probably should, otherwise what would be the fun? :)
     
  8. gbroke

    gbroke Naturally Toned

    I will definetly post photos. Its amazing how they all look on the pages. Meaning, the range of colors and toning is beautiful on the earlier ones and all different. I also noticed how much nicer the strikes look in the earlier coins. Maybe its just me.
     
  9. BR549

    BR549 Junior Member

    Add'l info:

    The Dansco #7113 contains only slots for business struck Jefferson Nickels, 1938-2016

    The Dansco #8113 contains slots both business struck coins and proof coins 1938-2011, with the proof coins starting in 1971.

    Be sure to include the SMS nickels of 65,66 and 67 Cameos of those would be nice.

    Happy Collecting
     
  10. gbroke

    gbroke Naturally Toned

    For now, thankfully, I do not collect Varities, or erros and such. I would be stuck on one coin type for years!

    On a side note, when I started collecting a year ago, all i bought were silver half dollars, mostly walkers (because that is my favorite design). My wife thought I was crazy, and that I was having a micro hoarding issue with coins and spending way too much money. I showed her how much silver has gone up, and I think she gets it now *\o/*

    bVLXQ.jpg
     
  11. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Don't collect early large cents then. :)
    There are varieties listed in the Redbook that only have as few as 3 pieces known. A complete Redbook set is beyond the means of almost all collectors. (I still lack 9 of them. If I am lucky I'll be able to add two more of them but that's it.)
     
  12. gboulton

    gboulton 7070 56.98 pct complete

    Well, that's sort of the point...at least, to me at least. :)

    By having some sort of guideline in hand before I start, I can get some frame of reference on how realistic finishing such a set might be for me.
     
  13. robec

    robec Junior Member

    Are you saying that you lack 9 early large cent varieties or lack 9 of a complete Redbook set?
     
  14. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Nine for the complete early date Redbook set. I lack about 40 of the Sheldon numbered varieties, about 30 1794's and 10 1793's.
     
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