I recently picked up a 2015 silver proof set. I didn't think I collected them but for $20 it turns out I do. They're all very nice coins as to be expected. One thing that surprised me though is that quite a few of them are already toning. I had a tough time capturing the toning but it's hitting the quarters, the mixed frame and the dollars as well. It's the first time i've ever seen the gold dollars toning. This is the first time I've thought that instead of the coins being toned, they're actually toning, meaning it's dynamic and they're changing. Open question, interested in thoughts, if you had this set and it was toning like this would sell it because it's going to get ugly, keep it as is and see what happens, break it open to try to stop the toning or something else? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks. EDIT - I've decided that this might go better if I actually include the pictures....
I'm probably wrong, but I'm guessing that the toning has something to do with the rinse that was used before the planchets were struck. I have some proof sets from the 80's & 90's that had toned slightly, and they still look the same today. ~ Chris
No matter how they tone, they'll still be worth at least melt (for the silver) and face (for the non-silver). No matter how little they tone, they'll probably never be worth much more than melt (for the silver) and face (for the non-silver). If it were me, I'd let the experiment proceed. If I wanted a pristine set later, I'd go look for one then.
I would do like @-jeffB suggests. Heck, for $20 you have little to loose and it might be fun to take pictures on a regular basis to see the process.
Maybe they were stored under adverse conditions for a few years? If so, the toning could slow way down if you treat them better now. Another vote for “see what happens.”
So that's what most of the votes align to, including my own. Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts.
I vote for keeping it as is to see what transpires. I must agree that for this to occur so quickly is odd to say the least. Aside from what was mentioned pertaining to the coins/planchets, I'm wondering is the case cracked? More specifically, is there a separation between the front and back case halves? If so, this may explain things.
First off, it's none that you can see. All it takes is a very small hole, invisible to the eye, to have a hole large enough for air to get in to tone the coins. Secondly, there may not be any hole and the way the planchet was washed, rinsed and cared for prior to minting was totally insufficient creating the toning. No matter what the cause you must deal with the results. A large number of coin collection enjoy toning. You can eith keep as is and wait to see what the next few years brings, sell them as is or remove them and dip to remove the toning. They are your coins so the choice is yours.
Surely none of the Mint packaging is truly airtight. The proof lenses aren't even sonically sealed like TPG slabs -- you can easily pry them open.
I purchased 5 mint sets and every case was cracked open. I was refunded, but the idea of cherrypicking mint sets and reselling them is ridiculous and probably more common than one believes.
