What do you think of this. Proof Set on eBay. Does anyone think this is original? I am wondering if it was resealed with new packing tape. The tape just doesn't look as aged as some that I have seen. Steve
I don't think it looks original but then what do I know. :smile The one thing I do know is I would not spend $295 on a coin I could not see first. Those that do either like to play the lottery or have enough money that $295 is an amount they don't mind losing IMO. For me it's hard to understand why those auctions are so successful.
Well, I certainly wouldn't offer $295 for it, but boxed proof sets from that era are hard to come by. Most have been put in Captal Holders. I know that is a better way to preserve them, but I am a purist when it comes to collecting proof sets.
There are a couple of alarm bells. First, it's eBay. The pictures suck so you can't tell anything from them. And it's written in a very hyped up way. On the other hand, the seller seems to have reasonably good feedback. Personally, I'd avoid it. If you actually believe the guys listing, he'd be a fool to not open it. I seriously doubt that it hasn't been opened.
I understand about the value and desire of collecting in original packaging. I would think you could find them at a show or at dealer in the original box (opened) for a fair street price? Something about buying sight unseen from eBay that just makes me cringe to think what you might get. Good Luck!
The box looks just like the ones my best buddy has. He's got about 10 unopened proof sets from the '50s
I would have thought that the tape would brown a little more than those show. I've seen old tape on old boxes (not related to coins) and the tape generally turns brown like an old penny. That tape appears lighter or closer in color to new tape but the pictures are bad and colors show up differently on different monitors.
Can you imagine getting this set and you do not open for 10 years, then you find out nothing inside :mouth: Also the cardboard must be messing up the coins
If you look at his feedback he already has a neutral for shipping a opened proof set and I see that when a new member gave him a neutral he left a retaliatory neutral. I would pass based on these two alone.
The guy does have good feedback so I doubt that there are no coins. I would be more afraid of the condition. You are buying them with the understanding that if you open them and they do not match the hype you have reduced the value. Your hope in a situation like this is that they will be nice condition proofs in original packaging. Of course you could hit the lottery but I would bet the under...
I had a 1955 proof set in a box just like that with exactly that type of tape on it. Of course, mine had already been opened when I got it for Christmas years ago. But the tape looked like what is pictured there. The coins in my 1955 set had some pretty good toning going on, because they werent taken out of the box or the plastic they were put in by the mint. Its been 8 years and I still cant remember what I ever did with it. Anyhow, thats about $100 more than Id ever expect to pay for a 1954 proof set.
My 1950 proof set in the original box was sealed with two pieces of tape. One north to south the other east to west. Now that is a 1950 not 1954 so thing could have changed. I think the price is about $100 to high.
Now that tape looks to me to be original. I have had an incredibly difficult time finding pre 1955 proof sets with original packaging. Thanks for everyone's input. Steve
Photo's look grainy and out of focus, but it looks to be original. But, you know what they say, "BUYER BEWARE".
unopened I am not sure an unopened box adds much value to a set of coins. I do know that merchadise that has been not been designed with holders and proper internal packaging may cause damage . I open all boxes for a quick check of the contents. In the span of a year I had about three different sets that were damaged. If I had not opened them I would be a bit upset down the road one day.
I used to collect those sets, so I know what ya mean. And to be honest it could go either way. Some of the older sets had 2 pieces of tape across each way, some had one. And yes that one in particular does look to be in almost too good of shape. But I have seen them like that before. That being said, unless I knew the seller - I wouldn't buy it.
