I'm a small-time collector, mostly just fun for me. I've been getting mint and proof sets since I was a kid (started in the fifties) from the US Mint. I also have albums and collect UNC coins each denomination. I get one set of each, but the last several years I have been getting two mint sets with the intention of cracking open one set to fill my albums, makes it easy, don't look through change anymore, etc. Am I being stupid, or is that what most folks do? Thanks, Douglas
Douglas: No, I don't think that you are being stupid, that is what many collectors do, and, now, with the new 'satin' finish on unc sets, it may be the best way to get nice uncs for your sets.
Howdy, I've been collecting for a long time also, but can hardly consider myself any sort of expert - I'm not. However, this is exactly what I do - buy an extra set (or more) across the board for my albumns. Don't know that this is what a 'purist' would do, but it works for me. take care, rono
When I started collecting I won't dream of breaking out any sets, proof or mint. Now I feel much differently. I no longer enjoy, actually I never really did, viewing my collection through the plastic encasements from the mint. I really only collect 1964 and older sets, proof and mint. I have found the packaging hides the real beauty of the coins inside. Besides my way of displaying and storing these sets is much or enjoyable and safer for the coins. Thats just my opinion, but a lot of my fellow collectors have a fit when they see what I am doing, they love it. Original packaging collecting is nice for those years that have low mintages (mint sets) 1958 -1947. Since the price of these sets can be quite high, I just put together raw coins, BU, to fill those years.
Hmmm? I'm an original package collector for mint and proof sets; don't know why, that's just the way I do it. My goal is to have one set of each from when they started, which is quite a bit before I ever heard of mint sets. When I look for sets to fill my empty years, I never even look at anything that isn't original packaging. If an envelope or box has writing on it I pass; I've seen them with all kinds of things, peoples names, dates, etc. I'll prolly never be able to afford the real old ones, but I try to scrape up enough money to buy at least one a year. Thanks, Douglas
I too buy additional sets of proofs and uncirc sets for my albums. I have to get 10 extra sets though due to having about 10 sets of each denomination. Been doing that for many, many years.
