1941 Proof Set .... Need Opinions

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Randy Abercrombie, Apr 19, 2019.

  1. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Last week an old friend that retired liquidated some of his collection and I was the beneficiary. One of the items is a 1941 proof set. I’m not necessarily a proof set collector and am thinking I may pass this on. Here’s my dilemma....

    I rather feel it would be a sin to piece the set out. However, I know the mint issued proof sets in that era in stapled cellophane envelopes. So the holder is not original to the set.

    The other side of me knows that I could invest $150.00 having them individually graded. If I am fortunate to receive a PF68 grade or better on one or more pieces I could potentially receive a small windfall..... Downside is that I do not have the skill set to determine if any may achieve that high of a grade. My dealer feels the half and dime could grade very well and I trust his judgment.

    Long and short is while I enjoy these coins, I am not emotionally attached to them and they should be with someone that deeply enjoys them.

    Should I market them as a set or take them apart and chance a strong grade?

    170DAF54-4C8F-4592-B22B-3D86948EA8F5.jpeg 275D3291-978C-41A2-BCED-28C3CA6F8D3D.jpeg D04C0D18-88AC-47AC-9C0D-624F302E6654.jpeg F1D7223C-DDB2-4A47-9013-D2DD13AE5EB6.jpeg 45A1D5CB-67C9-4103-AD95-E0DC9F7FC899.jpeg A863B75B-8531-4D04-8A4E-8B712811086D.jpeg
     
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  3. micbraun

    micbraun coindiccted

    Sorry, but I see hits on the WLH, spots on the Jefferson and hairlines on the Lincoln cent. Is this a fingerprint on the Mercury dime? There are no reverse pics, but I doubt any of those would receive a high grade...
     
  4. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Yes.... There are spots on several of the coins. The prints, swirls and scratches are on the plastic holder though.
     
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  5. micbraun

    micbraun coindiccted

    Why don’t you open the holder before taking pictures (of both sides) :)
     
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  6. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    That is a much better idea. Being the klutz that I am and having two you demanding youngsters running free... I am a bit hesitant to do so.
     
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  7. Kasia

    Kasia Got my learning hat on

    so far I am not seeing a high grade on any of them
     
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  8. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    I much appreciate and trust you guys judgment. And I say that most sincerely. It’s exactly the feedback I need. Sounding like my best bet may be to market this is an average grade set.
     
  9. BlackberryPie

    BlackberryPie I like pie

    drop it on ebay and watch the bids go up up and up.
     
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  10. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    What are the white spots on the WLH? It almost looks like they were coated with something and there are voids in the coating. They all have some white spots. For being proofs they don't have much detail.
     
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  11. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Hmm. I saw one come up earlier today on eBay at $769 BIN, and figured it would go quickly, as I think that's lower than any of the sets that have sold recently. Then I took a closer look at the coins.

    Yours look very nice indeed by comparison. If I were you, I'd keep an eye on that listing, and see what it eventually sells for (if it does).
     
  12. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    I see a lot of 65s. The quarter could be 66-7 I’d think. The carbon spots don’t help and there’s no stunning toning either. I’d sell them for a fair price as a set raw. I’d look at past listings and see what they look like and sold for
     
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  13. COCollector

    COCollector Well-Known Member

    I agree, sell them as a set.

    To determine a fair price, I think you need them professionally graded, like this:

    [​IMG]
    But my quick search couldn't find an example of a PCGS slabbed set like yours.

    NGC offers a multi-coin holder for the 1941 proof set.
     
  14. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    That is a good suggestion. Thanks
     
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  15. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    I don’t think that any for these coins will get high grades, and certainly nothing close to PR-68. The silver coins have been dipped, and originally is a huge factor in getting a high grade on Proofs from this era. The nickel has spots, and would probably grade less than PR-63.

    I would keep this as a raw set. There is nothing outstanding about the coins. There nothing really wrong with them; there is just nothing that makes them stand out.
     
  16. LA_Geezer

    LA_Geezer Well-Known Member

    I wouldn't break up the collection if I had inherited it. I think I would leave the assemblage intact. I think it's well known that I am not one for reselling any coins I've collected, though.
     
  17. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    That set contains coins that have original surfaces. It makes a big difference. The question is, are they choice original surfaces? You usually can’t make that determination from photos. It’s why buying high grade Proof coins without a personal examination is really impossible.
     
  18. ilmcoins

    ilmcoins Well-Known Member

    A couple similar sets have sold in the $800 range on Ebay. If it was mine, I would sell it there and buy a nice Eagle instead!
     
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  19. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    Here is a 1936 Proof half dollar that is graded PR-66. These coins came in cellulose sleeves. Over time the cellulose imparted a haze on the silver coins. The trick is to find pieces with a little bit of haze, perhaps a little toning color and the mirrored surfaces shining through with no marks or hairlines. This coin looks much better in person. The mirrors are quite strong.

    1936 Proof Half Dollar O 2.jpg 1936 Proof Half Dollar R 2.jpg

    PR-66 is an outstanding grade for Proof coins of this era. PR-67 is super, and PR-68 is almost impossible to get.
     
  20. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Is it the lack of toning that tells you the silver coins have been dipped at some point?
     
  21. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    It has to do with the overall look of the pieces. The half dollar has some spots that appear to be what was left after the coin was dipped. Usually you don't see toning spots like that which are isolated in one place on the surface without some lesser toning around them.
     
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