1868 US Proof Set

LOL the bid went from $4,100 to $6,250 since I made this thread xD.

Are you guys placing bids or something?

 

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Well it’s at $6,250 now so apparently not xD.

I wonder if someone from the CT forums bid above $4,100 for it.

 

I couldn't resist...

 

They existed at one point and might still exist in collections that have been off the market for generations. These sets are used for die variety and emission sequence (Which variety was made first.) studies. I've also read that Mint State coins were stuck in a few sets, perhaps at the mint when the Proof coin was not available.

The 1909 set I bought at the 1976 ANA convention came from the Goldbergs when their company was called Superior. They said that they bought it wrapped in the original tissue paper. I wish that they had had that to give me when I bought the set, but they said it had deteriorated, and they had tossed it. The half dollar and the quarter had blue toning with all of the luster showing though. The dime was not as uniformly toned and most white although the part that was toned matched the half dollar and quarter.

I assembled a 1913 Proof set a few years ago with both of the Buffalo nickels. I had been buying the coins for type, and when I reached the point where three of the coins were dated 1913, I decided to finish it.

The last coin I needed was the half dollar. While I was at the 2011 Winter FUN NGC Luncheon, I mentioned that I was looking for the coin, and dealer told his partner had one. I got his booth number, and went to him as soon as the luncheon was over. It was graded PR-64 and fit in with the rest of the set. (Toned, not dipped.)

Here are photos of the coins in a group. The slab grades range from PR-64 to PR-66.

 

Here is a 1902 British Proof set that was issued for the coronation of Edward VII. This is the "short set" which did not include the 2 and 5 pound gold coins. I have an very nice Edward VII Matte Proof two pound coin, but I've been blown out of the water when I tried to buy 5 pound piece in decent condition (at least PR-63) at auction. Many of them have been cleaned. The five pound pieces are "trophy coins" for many people who are wealthy, but not heavily committed as collectors.

These are Matte Proofs, so they might not be pleasing to the modern eye.





The dealer's composite picture of the coins.

 

Just be careful! If you end up winning on accident you still have to pay for it xD.

 

wow, very beautiful!!

 

I wouldn't mind paying $7500 (buyer premium included) for that set of coins!

 

You know what’s interesting?

Despite the top notch care these coins have received since they were minted..they still couldn’t prevent the copper from going from RD to RB.

I mean if they remained in PF66 & PF67 grade they must’ve been taken well care of.

 

That IHC is a Woody, alright. Is that a die crack on the 3¢ silver across the tops of UNITE[D STA]TES? I don't recall seeing die cracks on a proof coin before.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/early-proo...cription-conditionreport-reservechange-060513

 

The US Mint has made proof sets for special reasons back in the 1830's. This is why some of the 1804 dollars were made. I think it was the King of Siam set that was the first set made. Starting in 1858 proofs in sets were offered to the general public. I don't think they were complete sets. I think it was minor sets, silver sets and gold sets. I could be wrong but I think the first full sets for general sale began when Morgan dollars were made. You could still buy minor coins and I think silver sets or just the silver dollar. Don't hold me to being 100 percent correct because I'm not 100 percent sure myself. I do know that the coins that weren't sold were either melted down or sometimes put in circulation. I would like to add that I have put together a complete proof set from 1865, excluding gold.

 

Has anyone seen any 19th century sets sold with their original tissue paper and mailing envelope? That would be quite a sight to see.

 

This is the kind of offering that regularly get's Sniped in the last few seconds.

If you're not familiar with the term, it's when a very large bid is made in the last few seconds in hopes for a bargain rather than gradually escalating the price. When you have multiple snipers, a price can increase ten-fold or more in the last 10 seconds and often several people think they've won before all the dust settles.

Most eBay bidders become very used to sniping.

 

Heritage Auctions are usually won by a Live Auction bidder. Everything before that is usually just advertising and setting a starting price for the live auction.

I've won a few rarities via the regular on-line auction for coins deemed unworthy for top end collections. I've won about 1 of every 200 coins I've bid on.

 

At Heritage auctions, some things can seem like they are going to be bargains until the live bidding begins from the floor (rare, even rarer now with Covid), on "Heritage Live," the book and the phone. Then the price often goes into orbit.

I have been there and seen that countless times.

Chances are you could bid a nice four figure sum now on that 1868 set, and not have to worry about paying for it.

 

I had the winning bid! ...for about a nano-second.

 

While I can't say for sure, lint might be more likely. And it might be on the light rather than in the case.

 

Yep...I don't see it on any other proofs. It sure looks like die crack though.

 

Too bloody rich for my blood...........the wife would kill me, anyway.

 

...but what a way to go!

I like pre-auction bidding. I can spend a lotta money and it doesn't cost anything.