A 1953 Proof Set Flat Pack?

Treeves

I got this proof set in an estate auction. It is a 1953 proof set in a flat pack type packaging. I know they were supposed to come in the box set, but as you can, this is not.

Is it possible that the mint was prototyping the flat pack in 1953 and this got out? The finish of the coins is remarkable so I am pretty certain these are proof coins. I just don't know why someone would go through the effort to put it a flat pack as an aftermarket.

Thoughts or suggestions?

Higashiyama

That is a fun novelty but I don’t think it is a mint issue.Likely a custom-made package or packaging from a later era proof set reused.

djm

Somebody made that with a heat seal machine. No United States Mint embossed in the plastic and no mint token.

Treeves

Yeah probably. Just seems like a lot of effort to put these coins in this kind of packaging, and not in Capitol holders. Also the mint tokens weren't used until 1955 - and even that was hit and miss.

I am curious, @djm, you mentioned the "United States Mint embossed in the plastic",. Where would that show? I don't see that in any of my cellophane packaging. Thanks!

jdimmick

After market packaging, I have seen similar

Treeves

Would it be worth leaving as is, or putting in a Capitol case?

morgandollar1878

Kind of cool but definitely not mint issue.

djm

@Treeves said:
Yeah probably. Just seems like a lot of effort to put these coins in this kind of packaging, and not in Capitol holders. Also the mint tokens weren't used until 1955 - and even that was hit and miss.

I am curious, @djm, you mentioned the "United States Mint embossed in the plastic",. Where would that show? I don't see that in any of my cellophane packaging. Thanks!

I did a quick look at some of my cellophane packaging. The only ones I saw it on were the souvenir sets, it is on the top of the package .

Rubicon

Quality of coins doesn’t seem the greatest. Are these true proof coins?

mannie gray

@Rubicon said:
Quality of coins doesn’t seem the greatest. Are these true proof coins?

I disagree. The quarter and nickel look nice.

ricko

The coins do not seem to be proof quality coins.... Perhaps that is just from the pictures, but my impression is they are mint quality coins, but not proofs....ICBW.... Cheers, RickO

Cameonut

If this was from an estate auction, packing the coins in aftermarket film could have been done last year or 60 years ago. Who knows?

If those were my coins, I would get them out of the unknown film and into a Capitol Holder or equivalent. For sure, it will help prevent hairlines, make for a better display of the coins, and give them better protection. Just my 2 cents.

It is a neat novelty as another has posted, not seen often.

291fifth

I is nothing more than an aftermarket heat-sealing pack. It isn't "neat" or "special" in any way. Who knows when it was done or why. To me it is just five raw proof coins that I can't view very well because of the plastic that covers them.

WinLoseWin

Once watched a dealer I know buy a flat pack 1954 Proof set at a show without really looking at it. Just went by the sheet and bought it. When he mentioned what year, I said they didn't make flat packs that year.

Looking closer at the coins, which he should have done at first, they were badly hairlined and a couple may have been polished business strikes. The half was no better than Proof-60.

So that 1954 set was clearly made to deceive which has probably happened with other sets also.

The original poster's coins appear to me to look fairly decent rather than a deception. Still, removal from the packaging might be a good idea to better see and preserve the coins.

If you remove them maybe post some additional pictures here to better show how they look.