Busting out 1957-1964 Proof Sets from US Mint plastic holders to put in safer holders?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Howard Ryan, Aug 10, 2021.

  1. Howard Ryan

    Howard Ryan Member

    So I have proof sets from the US mint from 1957 - 1964. They include Lincoln Penny, Nickel, Drime, quarter and half dollar (Kennedy, Franklin).

    I noticed that the 1964 set looks proof like in these non-hard plastic holders but the 1958 Franklin half dollar is starting to get spotty and has a small tinge mark that almost looks like PCV mark -- though I do not think they used PVC for US mint sets back then... who really knows. I have the mint sets in an album in the original holders which resemble a large modern day saflip but with multiple sealed sections and not hard like the saflips which got me thinking that they are not that inert.

    Is it worth putting all these coins in modern inert saflips and sealing them? I'll probably place the larger half dollars in Quadrum Intercept hard plastic holders.
     
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  3. Howard Ryan

    Howard Ryan Member

    The front of the franklin proof 1958 coin has a yellow smudge which is making me think the mint back then did not use inert plastic.
     
  4. LakeEffect

    LakeEffect Average Circulated Supporter

    Lots of people do it. Discoloration is often the result of a hole or tear in the cello pack - even a small one lets bad air in. If the cello packs are in bad shape, it's probably a good idea. If they are in good shape, consider storing them in better conditions.

    Your call in the end.
     
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  5. Mac McDonald

    Mac McDonald Well-Known Member

    Sounds like you haven't had these...or proof sets from that era...for long, and if you don't know how they've been stored by previous owners and/or subjected to, if not well, it could be problematic, esp if cells are not intact. That said, if none of the others/other coins besides those you mentioned are having any issues and you can store them in a cool dry, non-contaminate place, I'd monitor them regularly for a while...at least once monthly. I have dozens from that era of flat-paks and few (coins) out of all of them have any major issues of spots or toning. I know the 36-55 box sets had an issue with the OGP plastics, but don't believe the flat paks of 55-64 did...a definite improvement in materials. If possible, I'd keep them in the original cello/flat paks...I'd pay more for them as sets if they were, and you can never go back...but that's me. To each their own.
     
  6. Howard Ryan

    Howard Ryan Member

    Here are some photos, the flash makes the franklin coin look attrocious but its not:

    A6C37AF5-36BA-433A-9F39-CBC46C96AF52.jpeg
    5A285349-6A30-4B5D-AF52-67628386D84F.jpeg 37C54DAE-54FE-4F8D-A0C0-12E97E48915F.jpeg 99604BC5-52DA-4659-874D-093AF35ABB71.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2021
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  7. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    Some of these sets get spots from pinholes which are natural. You need to handle these sets carefully. Avoid folding them.

    I will tell you this. As soon as you remove these sets from the mint packaging, you will lose money unless they are something like cameo coins. If you don't like the sets the way they are, buy another one and sell what you have.

    You can put them in Capital Plastic holders, which is much cheaper than having them certified. The only Proof coins that are worth stabbing from 1955 to 1964 are cameo coins. The rest are a waste of money.
     
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  8. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    Echo John.......
     
  9. LakeEffect

    LakeEffect Average Circulated Supporter

    As johnmilton said, OGP is nearly always preferable to aftermarket but if it's compromised you may have no choice but to replace it.

    I found this unusual Capital holder a few years ago when I had a similar issue with a 1962 proof set. It encapsulates the set while it is still in the original packaging. :)

    1962ProofSetInCapitalFCC.jpg CapitalFCCLabel.jpg
     
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  10. yakpoo

    yakpoo Member

    I hope they're not milk spots...

    "1958 – This is the first year that Proof mintage figures went down since 1950. ... It is also the first year for the appearance of milk spots on the Proof halves. During this year, minting procedure appears to have changed, and the preparation of coins prior to striking left soap residue, resulting in occasional spots."

    https://coinweek.com/us-coins/proof... first,residue, resulting in occasional spots.
     
  11. Howard Ryan

    Howard Ryan Member

    Is this similar:

    https://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/capital-holder-1958-u.s.-proof-set

    I had to take some out because the holders were ripped. But I still have the rest in tact.
     
  12. Howard Ryan

    Howard Ryan Member

  13. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    1950 Proof Set O.jpg
    1950 Proof Set R.jpg

    The Capital and Capital style holders provide good protection so long as they were not contaminated with some impurity before the coins when into them. Some people go as far to say that these holders should not be re-used if the coins originally mounted in them are replaced. I think that is a little over the top.

    I bought this 1950 Proof set in this holder more than 30 years ago. The toning you see on these coins was there when I bought it. In my perception, this set has not changed over that time. Therefore I would say that these holders provide very good but no perfect protection from chemical changes. They provide excellent protection from physical damage, if the coins do not rattle. Although some of these style holders have a rattle problem, it's been my experience that the Capital brand holders have virtually no problems with that.

    As a bit of advice to beginning collectors, don't be put off if an older set like this has some toning, especially on the silver coins. Toning is a natural process. I would much rather have an old silver Proof coin that has never been dipped over one that has been dipped white. Undipped coins have better luster and are more attractive in my opinion. Chances are the dipped white coin will tone again, and sometimes the results from that are not pretty.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2021
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  14. Howard Ryan

    Howard Ryan Member

    So do you think if I put the ones I already cut out of the old broken mint sets, I could place them in these capital plastics? I'd purchase new capital plastic holders. Would they retain their value over the years or would the value decrease due to me simply opening them from these flimsy plastic holders fro mteh US mint? I sort of had to due to pin holes. As of right now I put all the coins I broke out of the broken US mint holders in saflips. While teh look nice in them, they are a set so the captital holders look nicer.
     
  15. LakeEffect

    LakeEffect Average Circulated Supporter

    They will retain value in accordance with the condition of the coins. An identical set in OGP will command a bit of a premium, that's all. There are thousands of sets out there already in Capital holders. If you've already removed them or the cello pack is damaged, go ahead an move them.
     
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