Hi, I received my order for an annual coin set and American eagle proof from the mint. Upon inspection I noticed that both plastic holder/cases came apart easily. I was under the impression that the cases were supposed to be glued or heat-melted together and not easily exposed to air? I have since returned both products for replacement. Did the Mint change coin holder vendors in the past few years to save money? Anyone else has had the same problem, or are my expectations too high? Thanks.
The proof set cases (the mint calls them lenses) used to be fastened together much more tightly than they are now. I'm not sure if they used to be glued, but it was very hard to get them open without damaging them. I opened a 1968 set and had to use a hobby knife to open it and broke the plastic in a few places. You're right that they're relatively easy to open now. They don't use any kind of glue. You shouldn't depend on the plastic lenses to protect the coins from the air or from humidity. They should be stored in a climate controlled environment just as if they were in 2X2's. This applies to slabs from TPG's also, although those are sealed so that they can't be opened without destroying them.
Last year as anniversary/Christmas gifts had to move some proof coins from their original containers to new holders, and can attest the 1974 proof set was extremely difficult to open, and couldn't be opened without completely destroying the plastic (I managed to not damage the coins in the process, but the plastic did not come apart easily!) Also broke open a 2007 proof set which actually was pretty easy, after separating the band the lenses came apart with no problem. So yes packaging is not as solidly put together as it used to be. Seems intentional, for the sake of people who want the coins certified or just want to place the coins in different packaging that what they came in originally. Original packaging is reasonable protection from the air, but still not much protection from humidity and temperature (they are NOT airtight), so take care where you store them. Great protection against scratching and fingerprints though.
suggestion to the mint why not put each coin inside a capsule and then put those capsule inside the case. design a new case which can be open easily. so that the capsule can be taken out easily. i would pay the mint more if they use the one i suggested. it will protect the coin more. and it will be more easy for us to take the coin out for slab too. if the mint don't like the idea. i hope some other plastic holder company will make this type of case and capsule.
the case the case is for display or for set. it will look better. maybe the mint should give us a choice. capsule only. presently use case. or case that can hold capsule for set.
Until 1999 the proof set holders were sonicly welded much like the slab are done. In some cases they didn't do a real good job on the welding. Since 1999 the proof set cases are just snap together and can be opened and closed easily showing no traces. (This lead to may "created" error sets sets back in 1999 and 2000 which sold on eBay for big bucks to people who didn't know any better. It can still be a problem with people swapping out the silver coins for clad ones in the silver sets.)
