Anybody know if the 2003 Proof Sets with the disappearing 3 on the Lincoln Cent and with the incorrect COA's (I also have the corrected ones) are worth any premium? Thanks for your help!
Only if you managed to save the Mint's letter of non-apology that accompanied your corrected certificate of authenticity.Then they're worth triple. Seriously,I've asked the same question on this forum at least once or twice and no answer yet.
When I sold the extra sets that I had including the letter and both COA'S, they didn't bring any extra pemium. I sold them to a dealer that I've dealt with over the years and he was the second opinion on them. Another dealer that I trust stated the same thing. There was a lot of hype on EBAY when they were first realeased, but that quickly disapeared. Perhaps you could check with a collector that specializes in proof sets. I was always under the impression that all of the original packaging etc., help to increase the resale value. Willcoins
I expect that they are worth a little extra if properly hyped on eBay, but the real answer is not really.
Thanks for your replies! I wonder if the disappearing 3 error was ever corrected, or are all 2003 silver proof sets the same?
The "3" in the 2003 date on the proof cent in the Silver Proof Set seems to fade, almost disappear, when the acrylic case is tilted sideways or up and down. I have three sets, and all of them have that error. Two of them were with the wrong COA. A corrected COA with a letter of apology was sent to me, so I have both COA's. However, I have yet to find a 2003 Silver Proof Set w/o the so-called "disappearing 3" error on the cent. I'd like to find one if any exist.
I have seen the 2003 Lincoln proofs with the claim of a "disappearing 3". It is true that some of these "'3's" are weakly struck, most likely caused by a filled die, but it is NOT an error. In 2004, I took some of these to the likes of PCGS, NGC and ANACS (F.U.N. show in Orlando) who all saw and stated the same thing..."filled die", nothing more. When you look at the coin straight on, you can see the 2-0-0, but the 3 can only be seen if you tilt it. But wait! Our friends at Aboncom and Star Grading Service (SGS) decided to "grade" these coins as a disappearing "3" (PR70 CAM of course!) and sell them on ebay! They claimed to be the first "grading" service to call this coin a "disappearing 3"...well, they are the ONLY ones as Aboncom and SGS are just a marketing and a packaging service for their OWN coins that are sold on eBay, noithing more. They still are hustling these coins. Look at their current auction: Aboncom/SGS faded Lincoln "3" listing The problem with the misprinted COA's is the real deal, but it really doesn't add value to the coin(s) itself.
The "disappearing 3" is not the result of a filled die. Look at it closely and you will see that the 3 is there and struck up to the same relief as the other digits. (At least it has been on the ones I have examined.) The reason it disappears is because of a problem with the "frosting" of the devices and lettering. The 3 is either not frosted or frosted to a much lessor extent than the other features. When you tip the set the frosting on the other digits catch and scatter the light giving them a great deal of contrast to the fields which simply reflect to light off at an angle. The 3, not being frosted, reflects the light roughly the same as the fields and simply disappears into the background.
I have a steel 1943 S cent that seems to do the same thing on the 4. the date looks like 19_3 when looked at straight on, but when you turn the coin on the side, you can see the four. Do you think this is a filled die error or a weak strike, or possibly something else?
The missing 4 on the 1943 cents is fairly common and is the result of a filled die. You couldn't have a strike weak enough to have the 4 fade out and still have the 9 and 3 sharp and strong.
One would think that if the mint responded with a letter of apology for the error on the COA that it was an important mistake. Proofs are made to be error free, aren't they? That's why they are called proofs wright?
Disappearing 3 error I know It's not on the coins themselfs but, the COA is an important part of the collection, is it not? As for the disappearing or faint 3 or 5,or fading on any of the coins do to the mints production of the coin, if it's frosting, double hit, upside down marking on plastic coin holders, ect. Aren't these proofs sets to be perfect? When I buy one, that what I'm expecting for my money from the mint. I'm not an expert but that's what makes something rare being made incorrectly, isn't it?:hammer:
