1950/51 proof sets to grade or not?
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Hi everyone! I have a couple of very nice 1950 and 1951 proof sets in their original boxes with the cellophane packaging and tissue. I'm concerned about them spotting over the years although they look fine to me right now. Should I take the plunge and get them graded/slabbed and make them worry free coins? I'd love to keep the original boxes/packaging as I know that those items are nice to have with the coins for their originality. I've also seen the tissue from the early boxes selling for several dollars per SHEET on eBay. So, go with TPG or not? Thanks!
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I'd only grade them if they have a strong cameo.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
There are other cheaper ways to preserve them. They need to grade high enough to make it with the cost to me.
Take photos of both sides of the coins in the government packaging (cellophane sleeves). Then post the photos to this thread.
With photos posted you will receive better advice.
Well as you can see there are different opinions.
But really the answers are going to depend on the motivations behind the answer. For some there would need to be enough economic justification to send them for grading, for others simple preservation is enough reason to send them in.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
If you are worried about the coins turning from the OGP have you considered Capital proof set holders?
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
If the 1950 set is unblemished and bright without hairlines or spotting I'd say it is probably worth having professionally graded.
The 1951 set would need even more scrutiny as the cost ratio to value is not as great.
I’m curious if anything has changed recently in your storage or location. They haven’t had problems over the past 70+ years…is there much of a risk that they would in the future? (I really don’t know how these things work, so I don’t have an implied answer, only a guess)
I personally wouldn’t have them removed from their original packaging. Early on, I decided to collect proof sets and uncirculated mint sets in their original government packaging. You have a small piece of history. And I agree with ShaunBC5, if after 70+ years they still look fine, as long as they are stored properly they will remain as is.
I disagree. What you have is a kinetics issue. The original packaging is not archival. Sooner or later, it will be a problem. Proper storage simply slows down the rate of decay.
As a collector, I would prefer those sets in the government package or a Capital Plastics style holder. From the finance point of view, you have to decide if the slabbing costs (grading costs + shipping) would be equal to or less than the enhanced value of certification. Chances are, they aren’t unless one or two of the coins are cameo Proofs on BOTH sides. Chances are there are no Cameo Proof coins in either set.
Here’s the 1950…taken through the tinted cellophane pouch. There are no marks on the front or back and quite a bit of cameo (in my opinion) frosting on both sides.
And here’s one of my 1951 sets’ Franklin…again frosted on both sides with no marks in the fields and taken through the cellophane packaging.
Hi Shaun…..they are happily stored in a safe, but I have gone through many of my proof sets from the 60’s and 70’s that are sealed in mint plastic holders…and some have burn spots and toning marks that aren’t very appealing.
As I paid $750 for each of these proof sets from a well respected dealer a few years ago, I’m just leery of letting them possibly spot or get cloudy from the cellophane enclosures…… I’ve also seen many cameo 1950 halves really moving up in price and am hoping mine might be one of those that FINALLY is worthy of a high grade and might bring a nice premium in the future if I ever need to sell. Cheers!
The photos of the two half dollars show what appear to be possibly high quality coins that may warrant a Cameo designation. I would remove them from the government packaging and look at them closely through a 10x loupe under good lighting. If there are minimal to no hairlines (which if present really limit the grade of proof coins) and if the coins have no other flaws I would consider submitting them for grading. Especially if they have heavily frosted devices and mirrored fields.
PCGS is extremely tight on awarding a Cameo designation to 1950's and early 1960's proof coins at this time. Thus the chances of either coin bein graded as a Cameo is small. However the possible value of these coins (with or without a Cameo designation) being very high if they grade 66 or better would cause me to submit them.
Good luck with whatever you do with these coins.
How do the cents through quarters in these proof sets look?
A wash or loss if not CAM/DCAM or outstanding color for collector fees
They are nicely mirrored, but no frosting on anything other than the Franklins. When I remove them from the cellophane I’ll post photos for a better view. Thanks!
If the halves grade out at 66 or higher they are worth the grading expense IMO.
Collector, occasional seller
Since you got them fairly recently and with info provided about the quality of the OGP, I think you’re probably best served with a Capitol Plastic solution (I have a handful of sets from the ‘50s in those and I really like them). I can’t imagine that slabbing anything besides the halves (hopefully) would be worth it. Definitely keep the OGP with them, though. Nice looking coins.
Here’s the 1950 Franklin out of the cellophane sleeve… Looks to be a couple of small ‘burn spots’ on both sides, but not in the mirrored fields….
And the 51 Franklin.
Very pretty coins.
I knew it would happen.
I would submit both of them. They are just WOW to my eyes.
Remember, though, I only have one eye that works and it's 77 years old now !!
bob
vegas baby!
It's impossible to tell grades from photos on proof coins but all things considered these look like nice coins. Best way to look at proof coins is in a dark room with a bright lamp light (at least that's what I use). Grading companies are more lenient on early franklin proofs with hairlines so there's a real possible these grade 65 or better if they're not completely beat up.
As for CAM/DCAM designations. I've had much success with PCGS as of late and less with NGC. The 1950 appears to have some cameo appearance but it could be because of the lighting. For the 'burn spots' which are toning spots. In some cases it's possible on these earlier Franklin's to remove these with E zest without leaving any leftover spots... However there's always the chance a ugly white spot appears after removing the toning spot so might be best to leave them.
Best of luck on the grades!
Thanks everyone. They really do look very nice so my Christmas present to myself will be to send them in. I’ll post the results when they get graded.
I'd probably send them both on an express order. That 1950 looks amazing! I know it's impossible to grade these from photos but they look 67 or better from here.
Collector, occasional seller
Nice coins. It cannot hurt to have them graded.
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If you’re breaking up the sets, I definitely support sending in the halves and can’t wait to see the results!
I disagree the 50 half is worth grading.no matter the worst case for that coin (PF64). If you’re already playing for shipping it makes sense to to include the 51 half and the two quarters
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set