Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but for those of you that buy/obtain these... how do you store/display them? I'm assuming that removing them from the annoying (in my humble opinion) plastic case would lower their value, right?
Most average collectors prefer the sets in OGP (Original Government Packaging). There is no compelling reason to crack them out unless you have a coin that will grade PF-70 or is a rare variety (e.g., doubled-die). But there is no law that says you can't crack them out. They are your coins and you can do with them as you wish.
here is a shot of some of mine. I put the proofs in 2 pocket sleeves and mint sets in 3 pocket sleeves!!
I keep mine in the original packing but there again most of the British folders are rather nice to look at
I figured most of you would say that you keep them in OGP. I have one set and the case is scratched up because it's been tossed around in a box for thirty years. All my coins are going in a binder, and I didn't know how I was going to do that with this set. However... ...I like this! Thanks for the idea!
Just a few examples on how I store my proof and mint sets. The mint now offeres multilens boxes where you can put dividers in for one/two or three lens boxes....now 4 lens boxes. I bought these boxes years ago before the multilens boxes were available. I used to pull out the dividers inside the box and put the sets in as you see here. Personally, I feel that collectors do value and pay more for sets in their original packaging than those that are not.
Proof coinage is very, very, did I say very...susceptible to hairline scratches, mist spotting from breathing, sneezing, humidity, finger prints or looking at them cross-eyed. Leave them in the government plastic, if you are just compelled to remove them, buy a back-up set for your collection because the ones you remove will surely down grade. Happy Collecting
I keep mine in the OGP stacked in a safe sealed in vacuum sealed food storage bags with 2-3 silica gel packs. These bags are resealable and I suck out the air with a $10 pump. It's made by Reynolds and is sold in most supermarkets. It should be easy to get a $$s coupon for this system. The safe has it's own silica gel box that changes color when it needs to be baked dry again. Bruce
And like BR549 said, If you screw with them they will degrade rapidly. Leave them int their hard plastic lenses and don't remove them unless you find a rare error or super high grade that you may want to get graded. Bruce
the smooth plastic cases that get fuzzed and scratched up can be improved upon greatly by a little brasso and some elbow grease, just rub it on with your bare fingers and rub it around real good, don't rub it after it dried though just wipe off with a soft cloth, it will remove all the tiny scratches and make the big scratches almost dissappear, learned this from a watch guy to clear the plastic watch faces off.
