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A newly discovered 1895 Proof Set....

RussHJBRussHJB Posts: 20 ✭✭✭
edited September 1, 2022 8:58AM in U.S. Coin Forum

I finally get to share this set we recently purchased!

Long story short this set came in with a huge deal that was put together by a collector in the 1890-s to 1940's. many of the coins were purchased from B Max. Mehl and were still in their original envelopes. When the collector died it was passed down the family and was mostly forgotten under a bed. This set was raw and wrapped in the original tissue paper. No collector or numismatist had seen this set in close to 100 years. The tissue paper toned these coins SPECTACULARLY. The set made waves at the ANA went we sent it to PCGS for show walkthrough. The grades are as follows: $1 Proof 66+ (6 finer known), 50c Proof 64+, 25c Proof 66, 10c Proof 66, 5c Proof 65+ and 1c Proof 65 Red Brown. What makes this even better is ALL THE COINS are CAC approved! As far as I know this is the only original (not put together from single coins) CAC verified 1895 proof set. It was such an incredible treat to handle this set raw and be one of the first professionals to ever even see it! Enjoy these spectacular images!

https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/inventory/item-detail/us-coins/73244

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Comments

  • lilolmelilolme Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice. What is next for the set as I don't see it on the website.
    Interesting that the cent and nickel appear to be the least toned but usually more reactive metal.

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=2YNufnS_kf4 - Mama I'm coming home ...................................................................................................................................................................... RLJ 1958 - 2023

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 9,902 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What a beautiful set of Numismatic History. A Plaque with the details needs to accompany this set of coins with the individual holders inserted to be shown at any upcoming National Shows. Everyone should get to view these beauties.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • kirkminkkirkmink Posts: 175 ✭✭✭✭

    My goodness, simply gorgeous.

    "Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous?"- Calvin and Hobbes

  • Batman23Batman23 Posts: 4,999 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice set and neat story. I wonder what other coins were hiding under that bed for 100 years. Never know what is still out there in the raw.

  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,600 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Are they going to be housed in a multiple coin holder to preserve them as being part of the same set? How lucky for the inheritors, too. I bet they are thrilled.

  • Eldorado9Eldorado9 Posts: 2,229 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Really amazing....This is a scenario I literally dream about.

  • RussHJBRussHJB Posts: 20 ✭✭✭

    @lilolme said:
    Nice. What is next for the set as I don't see it on the website.
    Interesting that the cent and nickel appear to be the least toned but usually more reactive metal.

    The set has been placed with a collector.

  • WAYNEASWAYNEAS Posts: 6,553 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow!
    They are all gorgeous.
    As @TurtleCat has said, they would justly deserve a multi coin holder and a special label.
    Wayne

    Kennedys are my quest...

  • JeffersonFrogJeffersonFrog Posts: 851 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I did enjoy the spectacular images. And the story. It begs some follow-up. If "this is the only original CAC verified proof set", unseen by collector or numismatist in close to 100 years, with the Mehl provenance and the original tissue packaging intact, what becomes of the set now? Six individual PCGS holders? Documented Mehl provenance? Special PCGS holder? Display?
    Original tissue thrown away? None of my business? Your wonderful pictures and story have curious minds wanting to know. Thanks for sharing.

    If we were all the same, the world would be an incredibly boring place.

    Tommy

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RussHJB... Welcome aboard. Very impressive proof set. I agree, it should all be housed in one holder. Cheers, RickO

  • RussHJBRussHJB Posts: 20 ✭✭✭

    @Eldorado9 said:
    Really amazing....This is a scenario I literally dream about.
    @JeffersonFrog said:
    I did enjoy the spectacular images. And the story. It begs some follow-up. If "this is the only original CAC verified proof set", unseen by collector or numismatist in close to 100 years, with the Mehl provenance and the original tissue packaging intact, what becomes of the set now? Six individual PCGS holders? Documented Mehl provenance? Special PCGS holder? Display?
    Original tissue thrown away? None of my business? Your wonderful pictures and story have curious minds wanting to know. Thanks for sharing.

    So not everything came from Mehl. A lot did but we cant verify that this set was purchased from him. The coins are indeed in six individual holders. The set was placed, intact with a client of ours.

  • Project NumismaticsProject Numismatics Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Absolutely incredible. Would you share more about the other coins that were part of the inheritance?

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,428 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Amazing set! Welcome to the boards!

    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • CrustyCrusty Posts: 1,102 ✭✭✭✭✭

    WOW!

  • skier07skier07 Posts: 3,917 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 1, 2022 8:46AM

    @RussHJB said:

    @lilolme said:
    Nice. What is next for the set as I don't see it on the website.
    Interesting that the cent and nickel appear to be the least toned but usually more reactive metal.

    The set has been placed with a collector.

    Great that the set is intact with a single collector and not broken up.

  • OldhoopsterOldhoopster Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RussHJB said:

    @lilolme said:
    Nice. What is next for the set as I don't see it on the website.
    Interesting that the cent and nickel appear to be the least toned but usually more reactive metal.

    The set has been placed with a collector.

    Darn! I was getting ready to buy lottery tickets to fund the purchase. 😁

    Member of the ANA since 1982
  • SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 12,002 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for posting this thread. A great story with gorgeous coins.

    I can imagine what a treat it is for you and others at HJB to find out about this collection, acquire same, evaluate same, handle and look at same, inventory same, submit selected coins for grading and sell the collection into the collector marketplace.

    Coin Nirvana.

  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,600 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow, that is the hoard of dreams.

  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 19,879 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Amazing proof set! Thanks for sharing the pictures of it and others from the hoard. Nothing under my bed but dust bunnies.

  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 12,940 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I should have moved quicker when I got the HJB email.
    Nuts

    The entertainment can never be overdressed....except in burlesque

  • Mike59Mike59 Posts: 315 ✭✭✭

    WOW 🤩 just WOW

    MIKE B.

  • shortnockshortnock Posts: 396 ✭✭✭

    Wooof!!!

  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,600 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What did the 1893 proof set look like? Was it complete? It would be interesting to know the original purchase prices but, of course, that would be a lot of work.

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,377 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @messydesk said:
    Amazing proof set! Thanks for sharing the pictures of it and others from the hoard. Nothing under my bed but dust bunnies.

    Ironically that’s where I have my proof sets, in a large plastic box.
    Of course mine are 80-90 years newer than these.

    And yes, thanks for sharing the story and photos. Just seeing those envelopes would have had my heart racing!

    Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • FlyingAlFlyingAl Posts: 3,109 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Did you guys take pictures of the coins in the tissue paper? Images of a set in original mint wrappings are probably rarer than the coins themselves as more and more get graded.

    Coin Photographer.

  • RussHJBRussHJB Posts: 20 ✭✭✭

    @FlyingAl said:
    Did you guys take pictures of the coins in the tissue paper? Images of a set in original mint wrappings are probably rarer than the coins themselves as more and more get graded.

    I should clarify, when they came to us not all of them were in the tissue paper. Some were loose, some were in envelopes. IT appears that most of the tissue paper was removed before we got them.

  • FlyingAlFlyingAl Posts: 3,109 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RussHJB said:

    @FlyingAl said:
    Did you guys take pictures of the coins in the tissue paper? Images of a set in original mint wrappings are probably rarer than the coins themselves as more and more get graded.

    I should clarify, when they came to us not all of them were in the tissue paper. Some were loose, some were in envelopes. IT appears that most of the tissue paper was removed before we got them.

    That makes more sense, thanks!

    Coin Photographer.

  • rheddenrhedden Posts: 6,626 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What an incredible find, and the coins are all beautiful! Now we know what original, "under the bed"" toning looks like! :p

  • KoveKove Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭✭

    Very cool, thanks for sharing!

  • kazkaz Posts: 9,137 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Really amazing, great post! Thanks!

  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 6,771 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for sharing this ... what a fabulous set, and what sounds like a fabulous collection to uncover. <3


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • FloridafacelifterFloridafacelifter Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I love this story- oh to have been the one to rediscover this little hoard. I’m sure you had no problem selling these quickly!

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,473 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If only the gold proofs had been included. 1895 was a good year for proof gold , but I guess it is greedy to hope for more than what is already there.

  • breakdownbreakdown Posts: 2,088 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Did Mike take the photos? He really is a great coin photographer.

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • AbehunterAbehunter Posts: 286 ✭✭✭

    Stunning, great story

  • KliaoKliao Posts: 5,551 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow beautiful set and love the story. Thanks for sharing.

    Collector
    75 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 45 members and counting!
    instagram.com/klnumismatics

  • RussHJBRussHJB Posts: 20 ✭✭✭

    @breakdown said:
    Did Mike take the photos? He really is a great coin photographer.

    He sure did. His work is always excellent.

  • Thanks for sharing this great story! I’m curious about the US-Philippines 1906 Proof set. Would you mind sharing pics of it?

  • RussHJBRussHJB Posts: 20 ✭✭✭

    @The12thDenticle said:
    Thanks for sharing this great story! I’m curious about the US-Philippines 1906 Proof set. Would you mind sharing pics of it?

    I'll do a post on it as well!

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,197 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The silver pieces will eventually be bright dipped to make the set more market acceptable.

    Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,069 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mr1874 said:
    The silver pieces will eventually be bright dipped to make the set more market acceptable.

    That sounds like a faulty assumption on your part. Collector-buyers of such coins and sets typically buy them because of their originality and appearance, not with the idea of dipping them.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,197 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I said eventually, not immediately. Seen it happen before with new owner of originally toned Eliasberg coins that Eliasberg himself obtained directly from the mint. When it comes to the desire of some to make money on money no outrage on the senses is to be so casually dismissed as in "ain't gonna happen." The dollar, half-dollar, and quarter are nearing terminal toning stage.

    Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein

  • psuman08psuman08 Posts: 294 ✭✭✭

    What a fabulous collection.

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,197 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I do see some mint luster peeking through on the dollar, half-dollar, and quarter. These coins may not change much for decades to come IF they are stored properly going forward. Humidity control of the storage area is of the utmost importance to keep this dark silver from turning darker and eventually to black,the color of silver sulfide. The coins came from a Louisiana holding so that explains a lot how these coins toned as they did.

    I'm not a total naysayer. I like the dime. :D

    Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein

  • JimTylerJimTyler Posts: 3,272 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Gee thanks. You could have given us a shot at it and put it on the BST for $167,500.00. Plenty of us have that burning a hole in our pocket. ( I refuse to a 😉 I just won’t do it.)

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