I have purchased U.S. Mint Proof Sets and Coins (clad, silver and small denomination gold) for many years and have finally have decided to catalog them. Is there a grade that I can assign that would be accurate in estimating the value of my U.S. Mint Proof coins and sets. Using a grading service is financially not an option.
Chief, You really have to look at each coin to be able to determine the grade. I don't think it's really possible to grade them as a whole. Perhaps this will help? http://coins.about.com/od/ANA-Proof-Coin-Grading/ V/r, Furryfrog02
Unless you intend to break the sets apart, there is no point trying to grade each coin. If you do intend to break the sets apart, it is very unlikely that anyone here could give you an honest opinion without seeing extremely good photos of each and every coin. Chris
If they're all still in the original packaging it might be worthwhile to see what people are paying for the sets by checking completed auctions.
They could go anywhere from PR-66 to PR-70, and very rarely even lower. You would need some magnificent images for me to be able to offer an opinion. You have to remember that a minuscule flaw on a proof coin is the difference between grades.
Can I ask if the proof sets are pre '55 box sets as they might grade lower . I agree with Kirkuleez with his approximate grade of the average flat pack proof and later sets .
Unless they are PCGS proof 70 deep cameo certified, no coin dealer will pay premiums for them since modern proofs are mostly buying/selling at generic proof 65 values regardless, sorry.
Are you breaking the sealed sets up? If not, then do not grade them as each coin would be different. You just need to place a value on the set to determine it's worth. I'd keep them as sets, in original US Mint packaging and catalog the type and year of the sets. You will know what you have. They are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them so unless you're going to sell them, knowing the current value is unnecessary.
Thanks for the advice everyone. Most everything is still in original US Mint packaging with purchase documentation. I wasn't planning on breaking coins out of sets, just trying to build an inventory of the great many proof sets and coins I have purchased direct from the U.S. Mint over the years by using a coin collecting software package. I was looking for a guesstimate grade just for my own sense of any value in the coins and sets that I have. I think the grade of Proof 65 will work okay for my needs. Thanks again for everyone's input.
you should note if any of the coins in original packages , have suffered damage , too often I find ugly coins , and the rare beautiful toned gem .. these should be bumped up
