My replacement Silver Proof Set finally arrived and I shouldn't have been surprised, it's in worse condition than the first. The first set contained perfect coins, but as I said, the plastic case had a 1 1/2 inch long crack over the reverse of the Kennedy Half. The replacement set has a perfect case but again, this time on the Kennedy Obverse, to the lower-left of JFK's neck, on the polished area,is a very obvious deep scratch which can be seen without holding very close. The commemorative nickels are perfect, as is the dime. The cent has a tiny scratch also on the obverse. I am in a quandry if I should return it once again for an exchange or keep it as an example of the Mint's poor workmanship. Obviously, the proof sets are not inspected. I shutter if I ordered a gold eagle from the US Mint in proof. Are those also sent out without inspection? The US Mint used to produce flawless proof sets until the last 10 years.
Yup, you sure did. I should have kept the 1st set with the cracked case; at least the coins were scratch-free. I might try a 3rd time. This time they'll probably say they're on back-order and make me wait 6 months.
"I am in a quandry if I should return it once again for an exchange or keep it as an example of the Mint's poor workmanship. " I don't think you will have a collectable if you are going for poor quality on Mint products.
Replace! Replace! Replace! I got 2 out of 10 bad silver sets last year. Luckily, the 2 replacesments were OK. But if they hadn`t, I would have sent them back as well. This year my Westward Coin and medal sets look like S***, but it was so difficult to get them, I decided to keep them. The Mint really ought to be ashamed.
Sorry you've had such a poor experience. I picked up a silver proof set at the mint booth at the ANA and it is almost flawless. PR 68-70 to my eye. My last year silver porrf set that I got via the mail by internet order was almost as nice. I'd say try again! Don
Either I’ve been extremely lucky or I need to inspect my proof sets more closely but I have every proof and silver proof set from 1999-2005 with no problems. (I better check, now I’m worried): confused:
Try ordering about 1/3 more than you need. Their defect rate is about 1/3 to 1/2. Then send back the worst ones. That way you do not need to mess with as much back and forth in the mail. BTW call that 1800usamint number and tell them how much your postage was they reinburse for that.
I just sent my set back also. Three of the Quarters had scratchs on them. Do I need to wait until the set gets back to Tenn. before I call the mint about my mailing costs??
Thanks a lot Dan, you are one of the reasons all the rest of us collectors pay so much now for postage from the mint!
