I am just curious but will or should all coins in a US Mint Set grade MS 60 or better since they were issued from the mint in a set? If not why are they in a mint set if they would grade below 60 which would be about uncirculated or lower? Thanks Kent
IF the Mint sets in the floppy plastic holders were jiggled around a lot I can imagine wear occurring that would be a form of cabinet friction. IMO those coins would then be AU. Other than that I would say 'yes', they should be MS. But if they were removed from the original packaging then all bets are off.
Some mint set coins will grade MS60, some MS61, others 62, 63, 64, 65 or even higher. Mint set holders aren't impervious, so, over time, chemicals may impact the grade and mishandling of coins removed from mint holders may affect the coins (scratches, debris, fingerprints, etc) thus lowering the grade. Remember, Proof, Mint, Proof-like, etc. are not grades of coins, but are terms denoting special minting of non circulating legal tender coins produced for coin collectors at inflated issue prices. Clinker P.S. Some mints produce extra Patterns, Provos, Essais, Trial Strikes, etc. for coin collectors and charge a hefty fee for them.
Ouch! I hadn't thought about how much the sets might have been jostled around - thus creating wear..... Quality varies GREATLY. You can good deals on mint sets because they're not that popular but you can also get nailed big time as some sets are really horrible - toning, debris, etc. on the coin. I will search out my camera later tonight and post a Kennedy I have in the original mint set packaging and there's a FINGERPRINT on it!
