The Most Disappointing Proof Sets of All

I've been thinking about buying the 1976 Bicentennial as my only proof set. I do, however have a few of the mint sets from the early Sixties, but I forget which ones.

 

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I've heard that this was a one time deal. Is there any truth to that?

 

I think it's a permanent thing.

 

Why the 76 set? Just curious. I take it you don't care for proof sets.

 

He probably likes the year or the fact that the reverse was changed for that year.
Might as well go for a silver set in that year.

I have a few random proof and mint sets that came in with deals of coin lots or bulk deals.

Most I have very little money in and would be money ahead if I cracked them out to buy a CD at 3%.

 

My proof coin collecting is more of a passion...just like looking at the beautiful coins which were supposed to be the Mint's best effort at coining...mostly enjoy my nicest cameo coins...maybe they'le be worth more in a few hundred years!

 

I, too, have always loved proof sets. One of my earliest acquisitions was a 1958 proof set, my birth year. There's nothing like a proof strike.

One of my dumbest moves was catching commemorative fever and shelling out $48.50 apiece for two Prestige Proof Sets back in 1986 (remember those?)



I don't fully understand the complete apathy proof sets get these days (well, I suppose I do). Perhaps they'll get a boost when someone posts a YouTube video singing their praises (just kidding)

Boy, the 70's and 80's were bleak years for proof sets. I still collect the silver issues every year. I'd add any pre-1960 set if I stumbled upon a great deal.

 

The difference being whether or not they got caught.

 

I have actually observed the Mint striking proof coins. They are handled with gloves and individually inspected under a glass. It seems that must not have been done in some years past, but the quality of today's proof sets is superb.

 

It's my understanding that the first sets came in a little box with some very damaging wrapping (plastic-pvc ?) and, even stacked. How many of those did you have to look at to get your sets ? (36/42)

 

I only have a 1936 and a 1942 Proof set, and the coins certified. Finding the 1936 to ‘42 sets in the mint packages is virtually impossible. I bought a 1942 set in the original sleeves in the mid 1970s. That is only one I have ever seen. The sleeves were lose, not stapled together which was the practice in the 1950s. From 1936 to ‘42, collectors could buy single Proof coins, not just five piece sets.

The sets from 1950 to mid 1955 are more often found in the original box and wrapping. From mid 1954 to mid 1955, when the mint switched to the flat packs, the coins were in a cloudy material that damaged them. Before that the sleeves were made of celluloid which provided better protection. There was no PVC involved.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Here's the one I want...

 

I think I've seen this set before. Very sweet set.
Though, the one I seen had reverses too.

 

They only made 5 of those, I've seen two of them. Both were in the original holder. One of them has been broken up since then.

And for anyone who isn't sure what this is, it is a full 1868 proof set all in aluminum. At least a couple of them were made at the special request of a congressman, and a couple more for mint officials. This was during the period when aluminum was being considered as a precious metal coinage metal.

 

Known as "Pattern" coins, correct ?

 

Oddly enough, I think both my first proof coin and, later, my first proof set were 1971-S. I was certainly pleased with them at the time.

 

Yes. Considered patterns.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/patterns/1...ngc-r8-as-a-set-total-16-coins-/a/1181-6006.s

 

Thanks for the link.

 

I wasn't aware the proof sets carried so much disdain. I guess that's why you see them every so often when searching coin rolls. When I was a kid way back when, people in the hobby seemed to enjoy proofs. Times change obviously.