Some posts have described the packaging for the 1955 & 1956 proof sets, but none describe the sets I purchased from a dealer back in 1958- I'd like to know if I have authentic sets for those years. They came in the manila envelopes with the side opening, but there is no token in either set. Both sets have the corrugated cardboard inserts, but there is no printing on the 1956 envelope. I'm getting ready to sell off my older sets and need to know if these are authentic. Would appreciate any advice.
In '55 there were 2 different types of packaging for Proof sets. Type 1 was the old style - the coins came in cellophane sleeves, one per coin, wrapped in tissue paper and it was all inside a small cardboard box about 3 inches square. Type 2 was the flat pack - all of the coins were encased together in a pliofilm sleeve about 5" x 7" and they were shipped in regular envelopes. As were all Proof sets until 1968 - then came the hard cases. The box sets looked like THIS The flat packs looked like - THIS Now, if yours do not look like those, then they are not original Proof sets.
I guess my real question is - these are like flat packs in cellophane, but no token-do these sets ever come without a mint token? What can I assume these sets are, since I did buy them in the 50's as proof sets?
Post a picture of one, then we can help you. And yes Frank, the Proof sets did come with a token, if you want to call it that. Take a look at the link I posted.
I must admit that I have never seen one like that before. But in checking ebay for what is available there are a few just like it. I do know that these sets have been counterfeited, not the coins, they are genuine enough - but the packaging. It's not really difficult. That said, I cannot say one way or the other if these sets without the token are genuine or not based on pictures. I would have to examine them in hand and compare them to other sets with the tokens.
I asked a dealer at a show about this years ago. I buy a lot of sets and he said that I should only buy sets with the token. Not that that is any certainty of authenticity but he told me this story: He said that some dealers are assembling their own "sets" sealing loose coins that they have already cherry picked and buying reprinted envelopes and selling them as original gov't packaging. When this is done, most do not include the token, because who has a bunch of tokens laying around? Not many. Again, it's still possible to cherry pic a set with the token and reseal them so you never really know unless you take the time to examine the coins before you buy and that can't always be done with the pics provided online. Who knows if tere is any truth to his theory or not. I'm not a dealer so I don't what kinds of tricks of the trade are out there.
