Anyone have any thoughts about why the Dansco 8125 Dime book doesn't have slots for the proof coins before 1969? I would assume that these coins are a necessary part of a complete dime set.
I believe that album is designed to hold a complete date and mintmark collection. Proof coins were struck in Philadelphis from 1950 through 1964, and dont have mintmarks. The Special Mint Set coins, struck from 1965 though 1967, likewise don't have mintmarks, just like circulation strike Philadelphia issues. In my opinion, a "complete set" is whatever a collector defines it to be. I usually think of it as a date/mintmark set, but the next collector may say that it must incluse all proof issues. Still others may insist that it contain certain so-called "major varieties". It's all relative.
jody hit the issue dead on. If the Dansco added the proofs from 1950 to 1964 they'd have to add the SMS's from 1965 to 1967. The reason that they add the proofs for later dates is that they are proof only dates, and then the silvers (silver proof only sets), which are, technically a different coin. Therefore, they qualify for adding to the sets. The earlier dates have regular circulation coins, and you may place either a proof or a circulation strike in the album, your choice.
