So, I bought an unopened 1964 proof set off ebay, I couldn't help myself, I had to open it! lol! It's cool knowing that nobody (supposedly) has even seen these coins in 47 years! The nickel has kind of a cool gold tone to it, but I was having trouble picking it up with my lighting. Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, I present to you the coins! (the 'scratches' are on the packaging!)
that is cool. i can't imagine getting something from the mint, then not opening the box for almost 50 years. talk about willpower.
The early 60's proof sets didn't come in a box. They were in Kraft envelopes. Some of these sets had the flap sealed by the Mint and some were left unsealed. It is hit or miss whether they had been previously viewed by the original purchaser. Chris
Check the Kennedy closely with a loupe against your Cherrypickers' Guide, a lot of doubled dies are found for 1964.
As pointed out, some of the envelopes were sealed by the Mint, and I think it was a small number of total proof sets from the early 60s. Many people sell these sets on the premise their are originally sealed; however, in retrospect, there is no way of telling whether that is the case. It doesn't, or shouldn't, command any kind of premium because at the end of the day, you have a 1964 proof set with 90% silver coinage in the dime, quarter, and half and the value has increased with the rise of silver, to around $30 per set compared to several months ago when you could find them for around $22, and I've seen them as high as $35.
The one i bought was 32 with shipping (Although I had a $15 ebay/paypal gift card that I got for $7 so combined with that I actually only paid ~24 for it )
Great pickup. There is always a chance to get the "Accented hair" variety JFK from the Philly mint. Unfortunatly you did not luck out. Maybe next time ? Love to open the envelope after all these years.
My understanding is that these sets weren't sealed from the mint and that sitting in boxes over time could moisten the envelope and seal them...or the dealer will seal them and claim its never been opened. Either way, I'm sure it was fun to open but there is no way to know if it was truly never opened.
Not just sitting in boxes, but just sitting anywhere, moisture or humidity would cause them to seal. I've only heard rumors that small numbers were possibly sealed at the Mint, but there is no way to verify that, and I don't subscribe to that theory.
Makes sense, did the mint seal any other previous years? or are all of the proof sets in envelopes (probably) not sealed at the mint?
By "boxes" I just meant by having the envelope in a random storage box. I agree, ambient humidity/moisture would cause them to seal anywhere.
That's so crazy, I never thought about envelopes like that, and that they could 'self seal' due to humidity
