Just got the 2011 Presidential $ 1 proof sets. These side splits are not what I would consider as premium proof coins. Could these be considered as mint error coins ?
Send it back. I have had no problems with mint orders for years. But that's not to say other haven't. They should exchange it for another one, no questions asked.
If you're not happy with 'em Dave, send 'em back. I've never seen that sort of thing before. Usually I order three of these presidential sets on top of what I get with the silver/regular proof sets. This year I cancelled my subscription order because the dang things is getting a tad pricey.
What ever happened to the mint being a public service and selling mint sets at face value??? That was the policy in the past, and still is in some countries. I can understand the proof sets having a bit of a premium, and the silver of course, but what the heck is up with the prices??? That is another reason I don't bother sending poor coins back... you have to pay to ship each time they send you a crappy replacement, and for the money you spend, they should be great quality. Sorry for the rant, but this is getting ridiculous... higher prices and lower quality every year.
Well, I must confess that I'm quite happy with the quality of the proof sets (both regular & silver) that I have received this year. And the uncirculated sets were far superior to those of the the last few years. Just a humble collectors opinion....
I'll admit that this years sets were better for me. I figured it was about time I got some problem free sets after several years in a row of problems. Law of averages sorta thing... Even the halves in the ends of the JFK rolls look mark free this year. For the previous five years though, just about everything I got had one problem or another. Both mint sets I got in 08 (I get 2 of everything) had prominent scratches on the coins.
Heh...I recently returned a proof set where the coins were upside down...ie the front of the plastic display holder had the reverses of the coins and the back had the obverse. Not a big deal but I still got another one instead.
I'm not unhappy, I am just disappointed in the Mint supposedly issuing special strike coins (proofs) with such obvious defects. For $ 21.60 a set ( $ 5.40 ) a coin, you would think that they could hire more competent inspectors.
No ! These are splits at the edge of the coin when the mint struck the edge writing & numbers. You can see from the image that these are three different sets and each have there own discrepancy's as noted by the arrows.
The problem is that the mint products have gone from utility to what is now a profiteering business venture for the govt. That means that the $5.40 per $1 proof coin is not spent on quality for the consumer, but rather to squeeze as much profit from hobbyists as possible.
They could sell proof sets at face value and make money, no pun intended, when you factor in selling business strike mint sets at face value, which is an even bigger profit when you think about it. What do dollar coins cost to make (business strikes), .10c each? Think about that! Now consider that back when the coins were actually precious metals, the sets were sold at face value. Everything is backwards now, don't you agree?
They only charge it because people will pay it. It's part of the free market thing. Problem is, the amount they sell is going to decrease before they figure out why. At least the base metal proof and uncirculated mint set prices remained unchanged for this year.
