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Open a sealed 1955 box proof set
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I bought this set two years ago in Ebay, paid $145 including shipping, and opened it recently. Based on stapler marks on the vinyl pockets, I think the box was resealed. If the coins were originally stapled and placed in the box by US mint employee, there should not be extra stapler marks. Am I wrong to make this assumption?
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Those plastic bags look awfully new, don't you think?
All indications point to that being a resealed 1955 proof set.
The original 1955 staples would have rusted badly (perhaps accounting for someone's repackaging them somewhere along the line). Doesn't look like original Mint packaging.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
It would seem so
Yes the plastic bags are pretty new. I don't have a second 1955 box set to compare. My already opened 1953 set has different type of plastic bags and rusty staple.
Agree with you
Thanks for your analysis/opinion.
I believe the original envelopes were a cellophane type material that became brittle as it aged.
Yes my 1953 set has this cellophane type pockets, feel brittle, and the staple is very rusty ...
I have resisted buying any of these "sealed" type of items and this is why. I always need to know what the heck I am buying.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
definite re-packaged set to bad for the Half Dollar I don't like the look of whatever is on it (Toning Spots?) they used a more like Cellophane envelope in the Original Sets.
I agree that it doesn't look like a truly unopened set. The envelopes look too new, but are of the correct variety. By my experience, the mint switched from the brittle cellophane to this type of polyurethane at some point during 1954. The toning on that set tells me they have either been in similar polyurethane packaging originally, or the set has been in this packaging for quite awhile.
That being said, for not having received what you anticipated in the form of an original unopened set, overall you got a pretty nice looking one.
Of the hundreds of proof sets I've purchased, I've never purchased a sealed set...I much prefer being able to see the coins before purchasing them.
Not sure about 1955, since mine is a flat pack.
However, my 1954 proof set pockets aren't vinyl. Mine is some type of cellophane.
My 1954 set was already opened, and in the original box and packaging when I bought it. I think mine is original, but who knows.
Anywho, here is the picture of the 1954 set that I have.
The staple which is pictured with the cellophane, has rust in the middle of it. I took the coins, and stored them in a Capitol holder, and kept the packaging.
Just another item NOT to buy on eBay.
just for clarification, sometime during 1954 the Mint switched from cello pouches to polybags. the staples wouldn't necessarily be rusted if stored properly but the holes are suspicious.
what would have helped more than the interior of the set is the exterior of the box. there should have been a small, subtle pull tab on the bottom of the tape and the boxes are usually taped in both directions so that all four sides are sealed.
Anybody around here old enough to remember "grab-bags?" Buy the brown paper bag for 25¢ without knowing what's inside? A SUPRISE INSIDE!
I figured out the scam when I was about seven years old. Some people take longer.
No way that is original packaging or staples from 65 years ago. Expensive lesson learned. Peace Roy
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The 1955 box sets were in sleeves that were plastic as you see here. About half of the 1954 sets had the cellophane sleeves and the other half were this type of plastic. It has been my observation that the cellophane sleeves preserved the sets much more effectively.
The silver coins have the black toning that you frequently see on these sets. The set may have been opened and re-sealed, but aside from that, it looks original to me.
Thanks for the info. The newest boxed set I have is from 1954, and it was the cellophane version. Do you think the plastic sleeves in the pictures above look like they're nearly 70 years old?
What does the obverse of the cent look like?
The obverse and reverse of the quarter look like they are frosted, as does the reverse of the cent.
The reverse of the Franklin looks like some sort of environmental exposure maybe?
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Good that you saved the packaging for future comparison reasons.
I view with suspicion all advertised 'unopened' sets or rolls of coins. I have purchased unopened GSA CC Morgans...those from a respected and trusted forum member years ago (Late 1990's, early 2000's). These were truly unopened at the time. Of course I opened them...I purchased them to add to my collection, so I had to see them. Cheers, RickO
Oh yeah that staple should be rusty.! PR GENUINE - Staple altered
Do you remember who the seller was? Are they still active?
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.