1950-1955 Proof Sets

Hi everyone. I was wondering if any experts here could tell me what specifically to look for in an original proof set in these years? I really am looking to buy unopened boxed proof sets. What should I look for... types of tape used, color of boxes, ink stamps on the boxes, etc. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Tony.

 

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search eBay and you will likely find pictures of the packaging. They come in a cardboard box and have pliofilm envelope inside that contain the coins.

A note of interest here:

The sets contain a staple inside the box which has a tendency to leave a really ugly black toning on the coins. If you open the box, I would recommend removing it. I would also recommend that you open any set that you purchase as in today's market you won't know whether or not a set is real until you see the coins.

 

GDJMSP had a reply regarding a similar question in an old thread which I can't seem to find. If memory serves, he commented that the legitimacy of many of these so called originals was questionable. Folks dress 'em up to make 'em look original. I'll keep searching for the thread....

 

Just for buyers who like to delve into the unknown hoping to hit it HUGE, sellers dressed up all manner of boxes to simulate original mint issued proof sets. You can even have a rubber stamp made up to look like the 1955 stamp, write on the boxes like the mint works did, get the same color boxes, tape...I'd be willing to bet there are only a small percentage of this era that have not been opened for one reason or another.

Reasoing:

1. advent of e-bay (easy to pull off a scam)
2. advent of grading services (get proof coins into plastic for flipping)
3. greed/gambling

Happy Collecting

Note: There was a thread on another chat board about a year ago where the shipping label used by the Mint was reproduced to represent what was used in that time era, it was that well concocted.

 

I can show you mine. My grandfather purchased it from the Mint. They don't get anymore original than this!

 

That is sweet...

 

Also, you can buy new proof set envelopes on ebay to 're-seal' your opened set, and sell it as unopened.
I heard the envelopes weren't sealed when shipped.

 

The 1950 thru 1954 proof sets came in small boxes, while the 1955 proof set came in box and later on that year in the newly designed "flat pack" Reproduction flat pack envelopes can be bought on the secondary market while original mint boxes can not.

 

true and true.

Very nice set, Thad. I have a 1954 set but I removed the staple.

 

I wish one of the coin magazines would do an article about this topic and put an end to this debate once and for all. After hearing so many opinions about this and especially about unscrupulous people cherry-picking coins and resealing them and selling them as unopened, it makes me sick to my stomach. Jeeshhh!

 

I have those on my saved search list and have been watching them. I won a 55 and 53 from 2 different sellers and both were repackaged. The amounts I paid would have bought better coins Pcgs certified than what was in the boxes. The mystery and excitement is there, for sure, so is the let down. It's the upper class version of the "unsearched penny roll" IMO of course~!

Oh! furthermore with the way the mint packaged them - there is no separation between the coins, so if they package them the same as the mint did originally, the coins are going to bang against each other in transit to you. the plastic sleeves are not enough protection to keep them from getting dinged up more during shipping.

Thad, that manilla envelope, do you know whether your grandfather added that to help keep the coins more protected?

 

I'll have to ask him to see if he remembers, he turned 97 yesterday....but he's pretty sharp still. He started collecting in the 1940's. I know most of his sets he ordered through the mail. When he gave the collection to me, there was a bunch of unopened sets....still in the original, sealed mint mailer!

 

okay, now I am confused, as in really confused. I asked about the envelope because these do not have the envelope, but the boxes have the finger thing like Thads's. The staples on the couple I have opened are rusty however I didn't notice any toning that I would attribute to dielectric corrosion. I packed them away after this photo.

 

WOW! That's a lot of sets! Impressive!

 

A single set of proof coins (cent, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar) had the brown packing tape enclosing all four sides of the slip cover. If the individual taped box was mailed, the address label was put directly on the box. If it was purchased in a Mint Gift Shop, the date was usually hand written on top of the un-taped box for inventory purposes and to aid in identification. The coins themselves were enclosed in celluloid pockets and stapled together with a steel fastener. They were then wrapped in tissue paper and inserted into the small cardboard fabricated boxes.

(note: there were no manila envelopes used to secure the bundled proof coins)

If more than one set was mailed (IE; 5 ea.) the boxes were sometimes taped and sometimes there was no tape used. This adds to the confusion and is by no means an indicator of how the proof coins were purchased.

This is by no means true and concise, however I'm attempting to convey what I remember and have seen, but memory can play tricks.

Happy Collecting

 

Actually, I sort of wish I didn't have them. Times like these now, irritate me. What is it a quandary? A conundrum? I mean if I had x-ray vision I would know what to do. I have them packed away sealed in a dessicated box in a box in a box in a bag sort of thing. Whats the point. I like to look at the coins I have.

but yeah. they feel like dead weight. I can't bring myself to selling them. I would need a small business loan to have them all slabbed. Don't want to bring them out for display, I worry how much damage/toning is already done. The ones that are open are not consistent. like the Lincolns are all diffferent shades of orange an red.. I wonder if any of the rare cameos are in there.. blah blah

I had asked the question in a earlier mint set thread ,no one responded . What does everyone do with their Mint sets? What is the best way to display. I guess some buy em and break them up, some send to get slabbed, some hoard them.. Anyone got pictures of how they display / store ?

I saw somewhere that they can be displayed in half page clear protectors in a 3 ring binder?


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Indeed, I've crossed that road a couple times. Ultimately, I decided to reduce my quantity and increase my quality. I already fill two large bank boxes and I'm not paying for a third or fouth one. My next step is to get it down to one large SDB.