My mother in law bought a few proof sets and I was checking out this 1964 proof set and noticed it appears that the coins sealed within it are damaged. Now my eyes are not the best and I see the disclaimer from the Philadelphia Mint stating that any “damaged” coins must be a figment of my imagination. Or do I not fully understand what a proof set truly is? I was under the impression that these are all virgin untouched coins in a state of perfection. So set me straight or cry alongside of me. Should they be unblemished? Am I imagining the scratches that I think I see on these coins?
That is a proof set, and yes proof coins can be blemished. You might try gently moving the coins in the set and make sure the scratches move too. In many cases the sharp edges of the coins can cause scratches in the plastic making the coins look scratched. (the corrosion blemish on the cent though IS corrosion)
AS @Conder101 advises, try moving the coins but IMO even if you do that some of the coins still look like they're damaged. The Kennedy half and the Quarter look damaged.
It is not uncommon to see those corrosion marks mentioned above from tiny holes in the cellophane on these proof sets from the 50s and 60s. You can find really nice proof sets from the early 60s for $17-$20 without looking too hard.
