Collecting proff sets

"Collecting proff sets"

I do not recommend it. Based on experience. Back in my college days I tried to collect a set of professors but one of them managed to wiggle free of the bindings and called the cops

 

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They can be quite valuable if you have a high grade of proffs! Could get you many A's in your classes haha My bad on the typo.

 

I agree with posts #18 & #19. As stated, you should buy problem free sets in original government packaging & KEEP THE COINS IN THE ORIGINAL GOVERNMENT PACKAGING.

Here is a photo depicting how I have stored the government packaged silver proof sets from 1955 to 1964. This Dansco album is designed to hold 10 mint sets. All the other dates in my collection are stored in their government packaging within large plastic containers from the Dollar Store.

 

I would avoid trying to submit proof sets for grading...especially when you are not an expert in doing so. The reason is, it's a huge gamble. The different between a 68, 69, or 70 grade is the smallest defect...which the untrained eye won't see. Honestly, the majority of the time I can't tell a graded 69 from a 70...and I have looked at thousands of graded coins. I often wonder if there is even a difference at all. The majority of the graded proof coins you will submit will not come back as 70 and thus won't be worth the grading fee. Overall you will lose money on the vast majority of your coins and not come out ahead.

 

Sage advice from Mike, Tom, and Richie (CamaroDMD). The only thing I'll add is enjoy collecting.......

 

Very good responses! Glad to see that there are some others that enjoy the proof sets like I do. Any good ideas where I can get some good proof sets for a reasonable price? Any important or key dates that I should look for when collecting proof sets? I heard the 50's are pretty cool and valuable.

 

There are a few from the 1950s that are valuable...especially the early 1950s...and anything pre-WWII is valuable. I would look on eBay. Typically you can find most years from the 1950s until now for sale. Look at the sold listings to see what various years are selling for and be patient and you will find some good deals.

Everyone has a different defination of what "valuable" is. The 1950-52 ($300-$600 range) sets are what I would consider valuable...the sets from 1953-55 are a but spendy.

 

CAUTION: Modern day mint/proof are SUPERIOR in quality and storage mechanism (holder) than in years past. Prior to about the mid '70's, the proof coins weren't all UC's (Ultra Cameo's) or Cameo's for that matter. The technology to produce proof coins started changing in the early 70's, so be very careful when you buy them. I think viewing them in hand would be the best, but I know it's not practical.

Liberty Coins on eBay is great to deal with, have a wide selection of mint sets, proof sets and silver proof sets that you can buy for reasonable prices. I've purchase quite a few from them. I did have to return one set because there was hazing on the coins. That was common for older sets in some of the holders used by the mint.

Advice:

1. Go slow when buying the older mint/proof sets
2. Learn to judge photographs properly. Many defects can be hidden in a photo
3. Don't buy older mint sets if seller is selling multiples on one listing. You will not get to see a picture of the coins you will receive and that will likely lead to disappointment. If they have a return policy it may be okay, but you'll loose on the return shippin.
4. Always make sure the seller has a return policy