proof-sets

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by coinage86, Mar 31, 2007.

  1. coinage86

    coinage86 New Member

    I prefer proof-sets 1964 and earlier. Question is: whats the odds that a franklin in an un-opened proof-set is going to grade PF65 and higher? High likelihood of high PF grades? OR is it a gamble like many other aspects of coin collecting? I see on ebay where a seller has a bunch of un-opened proof sets, (assuning he didnt glue them closed), but I guess theres high likelihood that they could have gotten scratched up at the mint?
     
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  3. bqcoins

    bqcoins Olympic Figure Skating Scoring System Expert

    I really don't think there are a lot of unopened proof sets out there from forty years ago, they get opened, or roaches eat the glue, or the glue deteriorates, or etc.
     
  4. cladking

    cladking Coin Collector

    The odds are poor but it depends on the particular date.

    I'd figure around 2% will have significant frost on average but many of these
    wouldn't be graded cameo by the big services. With 2% of the coins then it
    would be close to 8% of the sets. These cameo coins run in batches so if you
    have several sets from the same source your odds plummet if one set doesn't
    have it and soar if it does.
     
  5. coinage86

    coinage86 New Member

    theres a guy on ebay this week that has a bunch of 50s era and 60s era proof sets un-opened!!! he says they're un-opened. ....but second issue: deep cameos?' I wasnt asking about deep cameos. The deep cameos usually require a separate pricing line, dont they? Proofs can be pf69 or PF70 without a Deep Cameo. The question was: what percentage of Proofs in un-opened sets will grade PF65 to PF70. Saying what percent of proofs in un-opened sets will be Deep Cameoss, is a separate issue, isnt it?
     
  6. Phoenix21

    Phoenix21 Well-Known Member

    It all depends. Grading is a matter of opinion, and normally I would think most proof coins will achieve a 64. Getting higher up there it gets tougher. But, it is all a gamble and taking a chance. If you want to try and see, then good luck.
    Yes, normally they can achieve impressive prices, and get up there, due to the demand.

    Phoenix :cool:
     
  7. andrew289

    andrew289 Senior Analyst

    While I don't collect proof sets, it's my understanding that sets from the 60's were produced unsealed. There is no such thing as a sealed set from that time period. Some seal themselves over time in certain storage conditions and people seal them after they've searched them as a gimic to get more money on ebay but there really is no such thing as a sealed proof set from that era.
     
  8. Slu

    Slu Senior Member

    Actually Andrew, they did come in special envelopes. That, I belive, is what they sellers are trying to offer.

    However, if you look around on eBay, you will notice that the envolopes themselves are for sale. Anyone who has, say, a 1958 proof set, can purchase an authentic 1958 proof set envelope. They put the set in the envelope, seal it, and sell it as "unopened."
     
  9. coinage86

    coinage86 New Member

    aha, so there is the overall theory of un-opened proof sets being a possible scam on the secondary market, which negates the theory of the un-opened proof-sets being legit, which the latter being a theory of legitimacy intended to negate the theory of proof-sets being opened already, when released from the mint. I.E. a third theory intended to negate the second theory which negates the first theory.
     
  10. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title]

    I don't think that is what he is disputing. I have also heard that these sets were issued unsealed. So, they came in those yellowish envelopes but they were not sealed. Therefore, there was no "sealed" proof sets made. The sealed sets seen for sale have either sealed themsevles over time because of their storing or someone has sealed them at some point.
     
  11. coinage86

    coinage86 New Member

    SEMANTICS!!!! If the envelope is sealed, its a sealed set. HOWEVER, is there a highlikehood of the envelppes steamed open, high grade franklin proofs being cherry-picked out, replaced, and then the envelope resealed??
     
  12. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator


    Strictly my opinion, but I'd say the odds are better for that than they are for someone finding a high grade Frankie in a sealed set.
     
  13. samjimmy

    samjimmy New Member

    You say this as if it were sealed in the first place. There is nothing to steam open, it wasn't sealed, and if it is now, I'd be wary. My grandfather left me some sets. None are sealed. Never were, and still aren't.

    I don't know what they'd grade but I got the one attached for $35... and it would probably be cheaper just to find one already graded than get a bunch of sets and hope. Here's a non-cameo for $17 which doesn't look too shabby.
     

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  14. DJCoinz

    DJCoinz Majored in Morganology

    I agree.
     
  15. coinage86

    coinage86 New Member

    I bought one set on ebay this week. Im not going to look for any more proof sets on ebay. Ill stick to the slabs.
     
  16. LibertyBell

    LibertyBell New Member

    [Deleted by LibertyBell]
     
  17. TommyNumis

    TommyNumis New Member

    The whole "Un-opened" proof set thing is a SCAM. Perhaps the most prominent coin scam on eBay. The mint has NEVER sealed any proof sets.... EVER! Just as the proof sets today come in unsealed boxes, the proof sets of the 60's came in unsealed envelopes. Any "sealed" proof sets were sealed AFTER they left the mint.
     
  18. coinage86

    coinage86 New Member

    well on the two I bid on, on ebay, the bidding closed within a few dollars of the prices I saw at the sunday coin show in town here, so no big deal. But yeah, thats a scam. if the sets were not sealed at the mint, then its very easy for somebody to put a lower grade proof the proof set.
     
  19. lknerr

    lknerr New Member

    And I quote from one book

    From the book "United States Proof Seta and Mint Seats"

    "The warning against buying sealed Proof Sets applies to the 1955 Sets, as wel in either version.Sealed Sets are more likley to contain substituted coins (and even non-coins) than they are to contain Deep Cameos" This statement is all proof sets discriptions and pictures from 1955-1964
     
  20. Philly Dog

    Philly Dog Coin Collector

    I have bought many pre 65 proof sets and I want to see the coins, not what it comes in. Some can be almost toned black and I do not want them.

    Buy the coin not the envelope :D
     
  21. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Most of those envelopes sold on eBay are not "authentic" either. They are printed up on the aftermarket and the government never owned those envelopes.
     
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