Hey, Everyone-- I have been perusing this forum a great deal the past coupla weeks, but this is my first time to post. I'm afraid I have way more questions than what should be put into any one post, so I'll try to restrict myself to just one or two. At the present, here's what I need help with: Last week, I ordered both the 2007 Proof Set & the 2007 Mint Set directly from the U.S. Mint. The Proof Set arrived yesterday. I like it a lot! The coins are pristine and beautiful and they look just stunning! (And at the Mint's price, a considerable bargain, I'd say!). The packaging and presentation are very nice, as well! Now......for the bad news (some of you can probably see this coming)......I got the regular Uncirculated Mint Set today and, to put it mildly, I am a bit disappointed! :-( While I knew the coins in the UNC Set might not be "perfect" (at least, not like the ones in the Proof Set), the ones they sent me fall far below what I was really expecting (and what I think is acceptable). Let me briefly enumerate the many "sins" of this set, and ask for your advice on how to proceed. Here's a list of the many problems: In the Philadelphia Set: The Presidential Dollars--there is a very obvious and noticeable scratch right on GW's chin. In fact, we're talking more like a semi-gash than just a scratch. This ain't no faint, hair-line job we're talking about (looks obviously like damage inflicted from striking other coins). There is a slightly less noticeable scratch--longer, but not as "deep"--running down the side of John Adams' face. James Madison is the worst! His face and forehead look like he was in a fight and that he definitely got the worst of it! There are a couple of fairly deep scratches running down one side of his forehead (deep enough to see the layer beneath the top layer of "gold coating"). The rest of his face is very splotchedy and there are a few abrasions in the field on the right side of the coin. There are lots of brown spots on one side of the Golden Sac Dollar. On the TJ Nickel, there is a literal "chunk"--a very deep surface abrasion--missing from the upper right of his coat. He, too, has a tiny "spot" or two in the forehead/right eye area, where a microscopic bit of the outer layer of metal looks to be missing. The Kennedy Half and Roosie Dime look close to perfect (just a faint, tiny scratch on the dime). The Lincoln Cent has some splotchedy places, but nothing I couldn't have lived with. The Statehood Quarters look pretty acceptable, though the Wyoming Quarter has a fair amount of minor scuffing throughout the field. In the Denver Set: Better than the Philly Set, overall, but still not without issues. There is (again) a very noticeable scratch to the upper right of the James Madison bust (and some brown spots). Some pretty noticeable abrasions on the TJ Nickel, including a small-but-not-insignificant scratch/gash beneath the "tr" in "trust". Also, for some strange reason, the TJ Nickel is in there sideways--his portrait is "laying down"--instead of "sitting" right-side-up, like all the rest of the coins. Except for what appears to be several tiny bag marks on the Washington State Quarter, the SQ's look good. Unlike the Philly Set, the Wyoming Quarter has a nice, clean field. The Golden Sac looks about as good as any I've seen, outside of the proof version. The Lincoln has a few splotches, but nothing major. Weird thing about all this: in both sets, the Roosie Dimes look very good and, in both sets, the Kennedy Halves are just pristine and flawless (like I would have expected the rest of them to be!). Okay......here's my question: Should I send them back and demand an exchange, or am I just as likely to get yet another set of coins which have nicks, scratches, dings, and splotches all over them? (And it really annoys me that I'll have to send them back at my own expense, just so I can either recoup my money or get the second time what I ordered the first time around!). Or...should I just ask for a refund and simply not fool with mint sets at all? I declare, I think I could have gone through my pocket change and picked up rolls at the bank and done about as well as what they sent for the Philly Set! I've gotten pocket change that wasn't as dinged and scratched as some of those Presidential Dollars are! Outside of the Kennedy Halves, I'm pretty sure I could have put together an "unofficial set" on my own, and had one that was better-looking, overall. Some of these coins they sent me would have NEVER "made the cut", if I had been putting a set together, myself! Anyway...........whaddya think???? Thanks for listening and for your advice! The Whistler
Well I have never gotten a mint set from the mint...infact I only have 1 mint set and it was gifted to me some years ago. However they are normal strikes. Theres not supposed to be anything stunning about them and can get scratches and such from falling into bags and things like this. I dont know how the mint works, so I dont know if their mint makes the coins and just pulls them out of bags, or if they set them aside. But I would be a little upset if I were you too. But as far as I know, go to the bank and get a roll of new dollars and the condition of them is what you should expect in your mint set. Obviously theres going to be some a little better than others. The mint sets dont cost a whole lot, so if I were you, I would try calling to complain just to see what they say, and if they wont send you another one, then just buy another one and sell the one that you have on ebay or something.
first WELCOME as for the issues with the unc set.. you are likey to get another set in the same condition. You might also get lucky and get one with fewer problems. its all up to you.
The UNC mint sets are actually a satin finish (different than the finish on pocket change) and should on average be much nicer. If the one you received is that bad I would return it. It should have had a return label in the box with the order.
Yes - you can always return it and ask for another set. As previously stated they can have bag marks and such on them. I have not seen any with gouges, but some sets are better than others.
If you are not happy with them send them back and ask for a new set. If that set shows up damaged send them back and consider picking out a set at a local coin show or good dealer. It's your money - the mint will not take offence to you returning them! Good Luck and Welcome to CT! Darryl
The chances are extremely high that you have a typical set. These coins are made on different presses at higher force and lower speeds. Dies are changed out frequently. Since 2005 the dies have been chromium plated which impart a "satin finish" to the coins which make them distinct from circulation issues. The coins in these sets have been extremely well struck nearly without exception since 1965. Of course, this is only in comparison with circulation issues and many of the strikes of mint set coins have faults with the most common being oblique die alignment. These coins are also washed and dried and loaded into automatic loading equipment. They do get banged up and even finger printed. Most sets will have at least a few very unattractive coins In the old days only about two sets out of three contained any gems at all but there are far more in the recent date sets. I would guess that better than half even have choice gems now and all contain at least one gem. There are bum sets. They started using the automated equipment, apparently, in 1980 so it's luck of the draw now days but you used to be able to figure about 1% were substandard and contained no gem, 40% were "typical" and contained nothing of much interest, 57% were typical and contained one or two coins that were special or choice, 1% stood out but contained a clinker or two and 1% were entirely gem or very choice.
The mint isn't real public about it but if you request that your shipping expenses on a return be refunded they will do so. Frankly I'm sure the mint loses a BUNDLE of money on shipping.
