Sealed US Proof Sets on ebay...what is your take?

mnmcoin

I notice there are constantly a ton of "sealed" or "unopened" proof set on ebay. Does anyone have any experience on buying any off of ebay? I have heard so much about people resealing the sets so I am so scared, but would love the availability of buying a fresh proof set, uncherry picked if it were true.

What do y'all think?

mo <><

gmarguli

1) For most dealers it isn't worth the time to open them, look at the coins, and then reseal them.

2) I wouldn't trust most dealers.

3) There is no way to tell they are really unopened unless you buy the original sealed shipping box.

4) They probably arn't worth the price.

5) According to one big eBay seller he sells them on eBay because they bring "stupid money".

I've bought some and I've had mixed results. Some dogs, some cameos, so nice high grade coins. I made money overall, but I wasn't confident enough to continue to do it.

I did have great luck buying seales boxes of mint sets (Ike years).

supercoin

A bunch of people naively (or not) list "sealed" proof sets meaning that they are still in the gov't plastic. Well, I'd hope so! If any ambiguity, inquire first.

FrattLaw

I love buying proof sets from Ebay. Actually found a dozen or more registry quality coins. All that I have sent in have been DCAM with 68's and 69's. Just becareful to purchase them from the unsuspecting ebayer. Dealers have already cherry picked most of them. You may take a little hit as well. I current have 11 sets up for sale. There maybe some good registry coins contained in them. I really have a hard time grading everything but the Ikes & SBAs. There up for sale for $49.99 with probably about $110.00 invested in them. If you're interested let me know. I will probably end up breaking them up and selling the individual coins seperately to make back my money though.

It's the only way I know to find proofs for slabbing. I have already cherry picked whatever the dealers in my area have.

I still haven't sold the slabbed coins but even if I get 50% of their value I will have still made a nice profit.

Good Luck - I guess I just created my own competition.

Michael

MW Fattorosi Collection

Eisenhower Proofs
SBA Proofs
Sac Proofs

mnmcoin

ttt

KenzoT

I have been searching the data banks of my mind trying to remember how the brown envelope proof sets were packaged from the mint. I worked in a coin store then.
My memory tells me that single sets in boxes of multi-set brown envelope proof sets were NOT sealed. The flaps were left open.
If you only ordered one set, then they licked the flap, but in multi set orders, they were not licked and sealed. Saved all the lawsuits from mint workers for paper cuts of the tongue.
Therefore, I would consider any "mint sealed" set that does not have a delivery address and postage on the envelope to be suspect of being a "modern seal", lick job, so to speak.
Anyone else old enough to remember?

Steve27

First, I agree with Greg, there is no way to be sure they're unopened unless they're in a sealed shipping box. Additionally, the premium these sell for over opened sets usually makes them too expensive to consider buying and searching. These belong in the same category as "unseached wheat cents."

Russ

If you're going to buy them, and I buy quite a few, look for sellers who aren't coin dealers but are either generalists or individuals. I've had the best luck with those. Even then, the odds are long of finding anything submission worthy, but, ah, the fun of anticipation.

And, don't automatically ignore opened ones. I've gotten a couple pretty good scores from sellers who provided a decent scan, and didn't know what they had.

Russ, NCNE

FrattLaw

Just got a 1976 proof set in that I paid $11.25 for. First glance, without magnification, I probably have 69 DCAM JFK and Roosie. And a 67/68 CAM golden toned Ike. Value - not sure. But after grading fees & shipping, if I can make $100.00 that's a hundred more to spend I what I need/want . Like Russ says, it's the anticipation that's probably the most fun.

Michael

__________________________
MW Fattorosi Collection


Eisenhower Proofs
SBA Proofs
Sac Proofs

presleyh

Check around with your local dealers. If you consider cost to ship to you from ebay, you can usually get a better deal right around the corner. Many of the modern sets are available for 6.00 to 10.00. These are good to practice on. Another tip-- go to the coin price guide on the pcgs home page and look at proof sets. While these prices are not always accurate, they will give a relative value of, say a 1997 to a 1983 proof set. Buy some cheap stuff to practice cracking out the coins.

presleyh

This question has two different meanings depending on whether you are looking at modern proof sets or pre 1965. Of coarse they are sealed if they are in the plastic. I think the "sealed" issue is different when they are in the paper envelope. Then the idea is maybe they have never been cherry picked, if the paper is sealed.

copperhead

I have listed Proof sets the last two weeks on eBay. I bought a collection just to make a few bucks on. I DO NOT have the cherrypickers eye. So, They will be sold just as they came from the mint. If there are some high dollar coins in there. Good for the buyer. I'm sure some or most dealers sell the sets after they are picked over, but there are still some honest deals out there.
AL