PCGS Gem Proof 3-Piece 1976 Silver Set

PCGS Slabbed "GEM PROOF" with signatures on the inserts of the quarter (Jack L. Ahr), half (Seth Huntington), and dollar (Dennis R. Williams).

 

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interesting... somebody paid for the special signed labels but couldn't be bothered to pay for actual grading...

 

That’s a cool set!

 

Your coins continue to amaze me!!

 

Treasure...

 

Gem Proof!?
I'd say anything PF-68 and up qualify for that label.
BIG difference in value.

 

That's what I didn't understand...Gem proof ? What the heck what grade is that?
Sweet looking set but signed labels isn't why I buy a coin...

 

Buy the coin, not the slab people.......they sure look 'gem like' to me........

 

Gem Proof is an old-school term that meant it was a nice coin. Anything considered "Gem" under these descriptive grades would correlate to a modern grade of "65" or higher.

The descriptive scale went thusly (and the proof terms correspond):

• Uncirculated (MS-60, MS-61, MS-62): A technically uncirculated coin with abundant and noticeable defects such as bag marks and scrapes. It is usually accompanied by a poor strike and dull mint luster.
• Select Uncirculated (MS-63): An uncirculated coin with fewer deficiencies and better eye appeal been lower Mint State grades
• Choice Uncirculated (MS-64): These coins have moderate distracting bag marks and/or very few, but noticeable, light scratches due to handling. Eye appeal will be good, but not outstanding.
• Gem Uncirculated (MS-65, MS-66): any uncirculated coin with only minor and light distracting marks or imperfections. Strike and eye appeal will be above average for the coin type.
• Superb Gem Uncirculated (MS-67, MS-68, MS-69): And uncirculated coin with only the slightest of imperfections due to handling and transportation. Many of these imperfections will only be visible under magnification. Strike and eye appeal must be outstanding compared to other coins of the same type.
• Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70): An utterly flawless coin with no imperfections or marks visible even under magnification. Strike must be exceptional and eye appeal must be dazzling.

These terms are very important to understand if you read older auction catalogues, and you'll often see them misused by modern shysters to imply something is nicer than it really is.

In the case of the OP's coin, I'd suspect that the submitter had a very large quantity of coins that they were submitting. These bulk submissions can designate a minimum grade for numerical grading - anything less than that gets a descriptor, and has reduced grading fees.

The signatures are cool, but the set is realistically not worth a whole lot beyond it's "cool" factor.

 

Being a sculptor myself I'm in love with these - Where can we buy these coins with designer signatures??

 

I do enjoy the 'Kool factor'........

 

As long as it stays the Kool factor and stays out of the Kool-Aid factor.

 

The formal explanation is above by physics-fan3.14. The speculation and investment bunch brought all the numbers in for competition and enhanced cash flow. The old guard collectors understood the descriptive scale and were very satisfied with it. I still use it and don't plan to convert.

 

Beautiful examples of Bicentennial coinage!

 

Indubitably........

 

Wouldn’t the Kool-Aid factor have to do with neon toning?

 

And I do disregard 'beans' for the most part. but I do love 'meat'..........lots, and lots of the stuff. You 'cookin' this weekend Jason?

 

I hear, on good account, you're quite the gourmet........

 

I still love the set. It screams america

 

Can't eat coins........