For the heck of it I ordered and just received the 08 silver quarter proof set and I am really bummed with the quality. There is actually a scratch on GW's head on one of the quarters and there are what appear to be scuff marks on almost all of the coins on both sides, not the mirror like surface I am used to (definite coin surface, not the plastic cover). Has anyone else had this happen, or am I just lucky enough to have received a bottom of the barrel return? I think I will return them, but the new policy means I am out the shipping, correct? Thanks for any comment/suggestions, I have been lurking for quite some time and finally decided to chime in. Great site.
Glad you are visible now. Welcome! I would send them back, although not sure if you have to pay shipping. THen go to a coin dealer to hand select the one you want.
If you are not satisfied with the quality, send it back. I'm still waiting on my set. I'll post the results when I get it.
Its not as bad as I originally thought, I think I was up too long and using the loupe so there were things that maybe I was not really seeing. I compared it to the whole proof set I have and its OK. Now if they would just ship all the other stuff I have in stock and reserved.
What kind of a magnifier are you using? What power is the magnifier? If you're using anything greater than 7x you will never be happy with what you see...
Ha! I'm still waiting for a "Christmas gift " that was for my son, now they send me a new letter saying they are not going to send my coin until 4-15-09! Every month since Christmas time, they send me a new notice saying it will come the next month. I will probably get it by next Christmas. I can't even get them on the phone!
YOU KNOW THIS GETS TO ME. When the mint or anyone just says "proof", what grade do they mean? Could the coin or set be a pf61 or pf70? And how would you ever find out except getting the whole set, or coin/s graded ouch$$$.
Proof is not a grade, but rather a manufacturing process. So when the mint says that you are getting a proof coin, you are getting just that.... a proof coin. The mint does not guarentee any grade and as you know, grades can vary even within the set.
So the only way to find out what grade proof the coin/s or set /s are is to have them graded. If I get this straight it might be possible to get a high proof grade when buying a proof coin from the mint. This is all moot since the mint is going to have PCGS grade all of their coins, correct?
You are correct in the sense that the only way to find out what grade they are is to have them graded by a TPG, but PCGS is not the only TPG out there that grades coins. Personally, I would have either PCGS or NGC grade them. Both companies have what they call multicoin holders where they will slab multiple coins in one set and then assign a grade for each one and put it on the lable. Personally, if I won the lottery I would have all my sets slabbed this way. As far as your question about getting high grade coins from the mint, I would say that all the coins that you purchase from the mint should grade PF68 or higher. Of course there will always be the exception to the rule, but the majority will grade between 68-69 and a few lucky ones will get the covetted PF 70. And if you collect proof sets, the other thing that you may want to focus on is the relief of the coin (the raised parts). An early die state coin will exhibit frosting on the relief (ie cameo, deep cameo, etc) I hate getting a proof set with no cameo effect and that the relief is as shiney as the field. I love a beautifully frosted coins. Just something else to think about.... oh did I mention, that those usually bring a premium as well. :whistle::headbang:
jaceravone, when was the last time you saw a proof coin without frosted devices from the US Mint? I think that almost everything has been Cameo or Deep Cameo since the late 1970s.
