Here is a subject near and dear to our hearts. Mint gripes. Am I alone here or does everyone here have the same one third defective rate. One out of three of the products I buy from them either has a spot or a problem with the case. Especially the Sacagawea dollars. Anyone else having that problem. Do you send them back?
Defective Proof Sets I have the same problem year after year. The Silver Proof Set always comes with defects and I always have to return them. They claim each set is inspected. Gimme a break. Most often its spots on the Sacagawea Dollar but I also get nicks on the Kennedy Half. This year was unique; the set was perfect except the case was cracked on the reverse side over the Kennedy Half. If I kept it, air would cause the coin to tarnish and at $40 each; collectors deserve better. I promptly returned it at my expense and now am told it's on backorder. Maybe I'll receive it by Christmas! Don't think the replacement sets are perfect; they're not. Why do I order? The coins look gorgeous in silver; the cupro-nickel are junky-looking in comparison. On the other hand, my British Proof Sets always are in perfect condition.
Did you know that the mint will reimburse that return postage (which is usually about $7.00 to $10.00). The bad part is that you have to call them and usually have to talk to two or three people before you get a manager. They credit your credit card with it.
Postage Reimbursement Yes I do remember getting reimbursement for $7 for returning a proof set twice and it was a hassle. I even had to send a letter to the U.S. Mint.After months of waiting, they finally re-imbursed the money by check. Thanks for reminding me.
My dad buys the mint proof sets, Silver sets, and Mint unc. sets every year, and we've never had a problem with either the cases or the coins.... Sorry to hear about your woes, guys! That kind of sucks! ~AJ
Defective US Mint Products Ajm was lucky or maybe he never really inspected the coins carefully. At first glance, a proof set will look perfect until the set is closely inspected. Check for spots, tiny nicks, etc. I've even found hair fragments sealed inside the plastic case as well as glue. They must use the glue to keep the coins from slipping around.
Guess I was lucky, then, because my sets are indeed quite perfect. No "spots, tiny nicks, etc." or "hair fragments" or "glue." I checked them all again after reading your post and could find nothing wrong with them. ~AJ
Be Thankful In honesty, I have several sets which look "perfect" too. Several years ago, I went to the store at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia to purchase a proof set. I had to go through 5 sets before I found one that was almost perfect. When I found a perfect set of cent through dollar, the quarters had a defect or vice-versa. In time, some coins will oxidize, as the plastic cases are not really air-tight. You might then find some discolorization. Often, you will get a rainbow pattern on the penny and on silver coins but you might also get black marks on the silver coins.
I have a 1984 mint proof set has considerable toning on the nickle. There is also some toning on the quarter and Half but you have to be in good light to se it. I realize that nothing is air tight and anything can happen but the amount of yellow, purple, and blue on this coin disturbes me. Is tone a good thing? Should I brake the set and repack the coins inidividually to prevent the other coins from being affected by the nickle?
I like toning, it's up 2 u. Never break the coins out of the holder, unless u intend on grading them.
I usually buy my Proof and Mint sets from my local coin dealer, so I can look at them first. But with special items, like Coin and Medal sets, or rolls and bags, the Mint is often the better choice, as the dealers will ask a premium price, if they stock it.
Buying From A Dealer I have bought some coins direct from dealers in person in the past. They charge more but there are several advantages as you mentioned. You can see what you're getting up-front, no waiting for shipment, no having to send back damaged goods. The disadvantages are most dealers only have a few examples of each to choose from, they charge extra, they often charge sales tax and they often don't have what you want. Using dealers by mail-order bring the same problems as the US Mint;you can get an imperfect coin set and the dealer can say it was damaged during shipment and refuse to exchange it.
The toning on one coin will not affect the other coins. The toning is caused by the metal's reaction with the elements in the air and how the set is stored. One coin may react while others do not. This is normal. But if you do not like the toning, then sell the set and get another. They are easy to come by. And odds are, you could sell the toned set you have for more than a new one would cost you.
The reason I asked about the toneing on the set is I posess 3 different sets which show toning on the coins. Two of the sets show the toning as a radiating collor begining at the outside of the coin and muving in. Basically looks as if the paper or glue is causing it. The other looks like I would expect if the toning was due to air. In that set the whole coin is coloring evenly. This issue really intrests me for two reasons. First I am a research engineer by trade. Altough I do not know the specifics of toning or chemical discoloration of the oxide layer I am familiar with the common forms of oxidation found on steel and aluminum. The second reason this is of intrest is the added collectability of toned coins. If it is due to the glue than a good portion of the sets should exibit the same colors. If it was due to a storage issue, than I have a more unique set. As for the appeal of toning.... I very much like the blue yellow and purple iradecent colrs I just wish I could afford to have the nickle slabed so that I could construct a disply case to show off the color better.
You mention glue in your post - are these Proof sets in original mint packaging ? I ask that because there is no glue in the packaging of modern US Proof sets. Toning can occur in several ways - it can form on the outer edges of the coins and move inwards, it can be somewhat blotchy or the entire coin can tone at about the same time. But in all cases it is due to the same things. All coin planchets are washed before striking - this can have a bearing on the toning. But primarily toning is due to environment - things that the coins come into contact with. In the case of modern Proof sets stored in original packaging this is almost always the air for the packaging is not airtight. For coins that stored individually it can be not only the air, but the air always plays a part, but what the coins are stored in. For example paper envelopes, cardboard 2x2's or coin albums.
They are in their original packaging including the sleeve. As for the "glue" there is something along the edge of some of the coins. I assumed it was some type of glue used to imobilize the coin.
I'll correct my previous comment - there is glue used in the outer cardboard sleeve. And with the older sets there is glue on the envelopes. But there is no glue on the older pliofilm holders or the newer hard plastic cases. I can't imagine what you're seeing along the edge of the coin inside the cases unless the set has been tampered with. Can you post a picture of this ?
