Hey guys. 1) i have a 1971 mint set and 1972 mint set. In the denver sectioon of each, there is a token in the extra slot. In the philly section of each, they included an s minted cent in the extra slot. Why did they choose to include an s minted cent in the extra slot? 2) in one of the sets, the s minted penny has a large chunk of black 'gunk' stuck to the bottom left of the obverse, and top right of the reverse. Is this known at all as an 'error' since mint sets are supposed to be in perfect condition? Thanks for all the answers! -Ryan
Yup! I'd even go as far as to say today's mint sets are only slightly higher in condition as those struck to be circulated. But definitely better than the 70s and 80s.
It was the only way to include the S cent from the San Francisco mint without having to include a 3rd cello.
In those years, the SF Mint struck Lincoln cents intended for circulation, but all other denominations were struck solely for proof sets. They had to put it somewhere! We would need photos to determine what the "gunk" might be. Chris
Mint sets of that era contained examples of all circulating coins. The only circulating coin from San Fransisco was the cent. The "black gunk" is not a mint errror but is some contaminant that was on the coin prior to packaging. Many mint sets and proof sets change in appearance over time due to age and/or improper storage. There have been numerous problems with blemished coins from the mint over the years such as carbon spots, "milk spots", etc. Considering the volume of coins the mint produces just for collectors and the lack of special care in handling coins other than proof, these problems are bound to arise periodically.
Not really sure how this relates to the OP's original questions but the S nickels were included in the Philly cello's as they were only minted in Denver and San Francisco those years, not in Philly in these years, which doesn't apply to the 71 and 72 mint sets the OP is asking about.