I have a 1958 Mint Set I purchased from the mint (still in mint packaging and envelope) that is tarnished. The coins have not been removed from the paper folders, so I don't know what the reverse sides look like. My questions are: 1- there are two folders- does each folder contain P and D coins, or is one folder P's and the other D's? 2-the coins are tarnished (I don't think they are 'toned'- so is there anything I should do to make them look better? 3-Should I take them out of the folder to see what the back looks like?- I hate to take a chance on damaging them. 4-Could they still be worth trying to get them graded/slabbed? I also have a '58 proof set, so can compare the coins. The '58 mint pennies look great.
They would be toned....they could be toned black and ugly or they could be really pretty. Since it sounds like you don't like the coins I would sell the set and use the money to buy another one that is better fro your collection. The holders hold a P and a D and I'm not 100% sure but maybe an S mint coins too.... Why don't you post photos of the coins here and maybe we can help more...that way we can tell you what ones you might want to think about getting graded. Speedy
Toning on the mint sets from the 50's is normal. Every one I have seen at coin shows exhibits this. Like speedy said some look nicely toned while others are fugly. The toning has more to do with the climate they are stored in , the composition of the air in your area along with the original packaging. Please post some pictures ...
I Have been looking at early 50's proof and mint sets to purchase. I can tell you from where I sit, DONT OPEN IT. I would not even consider buying a broken mint set. regardless of the toning aspects. Thats part of the whole deal. I agree with Speedy, if you dont like the set, sell it, use the money to buy one that suits your taste. There are those who prefer the toning on coins. Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder! I would certainly be interested in seeing these coins, post us some pics! Speedy, side note.. No S mints in 1958. : ) My opinion. TADA..
I'm still getting my feet wet with coins and photography- Here's a pic of one of the 58 mint set halfs- it looks tarnished and NOT pretty. My first attempt at photographing a coin- How do I get the color better? I used a halogen lamp.
i usually take the picture during the day, near a window, so it gets that nice, natrual white light in. :thumb:
1. One holder is P one is D. This is also the last year for the double mint set so there should be two coins of each denomination from each mint, a total of 20 coins. 2. NO! From the one picture you posted it appears they have standard mintset toning. This toning tends to be highly desired and will ususlly cammand a premium. 3. I would not do that. Right now you have a COMPLETLY original mint set, something that is becoming almost impossible to find nowadays. If you removed the coins and put them back in it would be noticable which would result in some questioning about whether or not the set is original or if it had been cherrypicked and lower grade coins inserted. Of course if you try to sell the set you will have the problem that many potential buyers will want to take the coins out of the holder to see the back because they are looking for coins they can send in. But now the set will show the results of the inspection and no longer be as original as it was. (Since the mint set toning is desired some dealers will remove choice coins from a set slab and sell them and replace the coin in the set with a lesser piece and then store it in a warm place to get that coin to acquire "mint set toning" so they can set IT for a premium. There are more coins out there with "Original mint set toning" than were ever issued in the mint sets. 4. I don't know. Personally I would say no but I'm biased. I hate all grading services and prefer raw coins. Plus I dislike seeing the destruction of original sets simply for matters of greed. But if some of the coins are truly superb you would make more if they are slabbed. On the other hand, if they DON'T come back with that top grade you now have a no longer original set and considering the money you will have spent on the grading your final net will be LESS than what it would have been if you just sold the set.
Tarnished? Since there are apparently people with all their taste in their mouths who will pay a premium for tarnish, sell the set and use the proceeds to buy nice coins.
The 1958 mint set comes with two of each coin cent, nickel, dime quarter, and franklin half. Ten coins form the Philadelphia mint and ten coins from the denver mint.
If you wish to sell the set, sell it as is. The '58 Mint Set is famous for producing some of the most spectacular and beautifuly toned coins of the decade. Knowledgeable collectors of these sets know this and will pay a premium for original sets. Here's an example I used to own -
Got some NGC results You guys had some good perceptions regarding my 1958 uncirculated mint sets- I got my NGC grading results back today on the ones I sent in for grading- 001- 1958 50 Cent MS65 FBL 002- 1958-D 50 Cent MS66 FBL 003- 1958-D 50 Cent MS66FBL 004- 1958 25 Cent MS67 005- 1958 25 Cent MS66 006- 1958-D 25 Cent MS67 So, I am pleased- I thought for sure I would get a few BB's. Can't wait to see what they look like in slabs. Z
