An Original Mint Set... What to do...

Clankeye

I bought a 1957 original mint set this weekend. Had every intention of cherry picking a few coins out of it and sending them for grading.
I've been sitting here with both cards of the double mint set on my desk for two days now... and I just can't do it. It is a very nicely toned matching set with beautiful luster... and I just can't do it. I can't break up the set. There just aren't going to be that many around someday. I almost feel a responsibility to leave it alone. It's looking up at me like a litter of puppies, saying "Please, mister give us a good home. Don't split us up!"

I am either soft in the heart or soft in the head.

Also, it reminds me of a thread a couple weeks back where people were talking of the joys of looking at their coins without the plastic separating them. Talking about how dynamic the coins looked. It's been a real treat just staring at this lovely set of coins without them being encapsulated. I think I will leave them be. Any of you other mint set appreciators have an opinion on that?
Clank

FC57Coins

Carl:

A complete mint set from your year?!?! Hang on to that puppy. I'd love to see some pics of it and of course, you know that I'd love to see what the Franklins look like. Most of the 66FBL's came from original sets like yours, I'd love to have you tell us more about them or share some pictures if you can.

DON'T BREAK UP THE FAMILY!!!!

Frank

TheNumish

I say enjoy the set the way it is for a while. Slabbing companies will be around for a long time so if you ever change your mind and decide to grade them you can still do it. A nicely matched mint set is fun to own. The coins just aren't the same after you grade them and the set looks very lonely after you take a few coins out.

Nic

Yes. I have many original double mint sets...14 57's ... and I can't yet pick them over. Soon? K

clw54

I concur. Leave them where they are.

Spinynorman

I know that feeling. I have a 57 mint set, as well, with some decent coins in it. I had some fair offers to sell it, but I just couldn't do it.

its4real

Send it to me...I'll break it up and send it in fer ya!!!

Clankeye

Well, I've never done this before but here is a link to the auction that I won the mint set from:

57 Mint Set

I was very pleasantly surprized when I saw the actual set. The coins are far prettier than in the picture. I would say the halves would all grade 65 at the least, a couple FBL. One 57-D in particular has beautiful shimmering rainbow toning around the rims. The quarters I put at 66 and at least two of the dimes are 67, with lovely deep rose-gold toning. And the coolest thing to me are the Lincoln cents, they have real nice subtle colors on them. Try finding certified examples of RB Lincoln cents for this year in any grade. There just aren't many out there.

Yes, I have decided to leave them alone. Leave it together. And I think I'll be keeping my eye out for more of them.

wingedliberty

I know its hard, but the better coins are worth it, and deserve it.


Brian.

coindaughter

If there is any chance that you'll have regrets, don't do it. Later, when you're sure you won't have regrets, may be the time you'll decide to do it.

Enjoy the coins!

Dog97

I have lots of coins that aren't in slabs and they collect just as good.
You're going to have to get the slabbed coins for your year set from somewhere though.

coppercoins

I have lots of coins that aren't in slabs too...oh, wait....I don't collect coins in slabs at all. A quarter million coins, and they're ALL raw

TheNumish

It's probably cheaper to buy the coins already graded. 1957 qarters in 66 aren't worth squat and the halves in 65 FBL are not expensive.

DoubleDime

I would keep the set intacted in the Mint holder. I've done the same with my Box 1955 Proof Set.

nwcs

I would also keep them in the set. Although I would find some kind of safe enclosure for them to prevent further oxidation. But if you get a chance to post a picture or two, I'd love to see them!

dpoole

The important issue here is that the toning matches. If there was much variation among the coins on that score, or if one or two stood out from the others, I'd definitely cherry pick and submit them. 1957 sets aren't that hard to come by. Since it's an attractive matched set, though, I'd leave them alone for now, like everyone else is suggesting.

Higashiyama

Yes, this is a very hard choice. About a year ago, I bought a 1958 mint set on ebay, and was amazed at the beautiful toning, but couldn't get myself to split the set. Finally, I bought a second set, not quite as nice as the first but cool nonetheless, and submitted the better coins from the first set with the following results:


dime -- MS66
quarter -- MS66
half1 -- MS66
half2 -- MS65 FL

For raw coins off ebay, I was quite happy with the results, and I have to confess, it is fun to see neatly toned coins in a slab -- these are real monsters -- the second half must have gained a point from the toning, as it is surprisingly scuffed.

Conclusion -- think about adding a second set to your collection!

shirohniichan

I'd leave the m alone, but that's because I like coins in their original packaging.

Clankeye

Higashiyama--
Thanks, that's a pretty good suggestion. It would be fun to pick up another set down the road anyway. There is a certain satisfaction from "making" a slab from a beautifully toned raw coin. Congratulations on your success with that.

TheNumish--
It's true that the quarters in 66 and even the halves in 65FBL certainly are not rare and can be had fairly cheaply. I know from looking for a slabbed 57-D for my certified year set that really attractive examples can be difficult to come by. The point that they can be had fairly cheaply as singles is another reason that keeping the set intact almost makes them more special. I've seen quite a few 57 sets, and whereas they may not be that hard to come by, the real nice ones don't come around everyday, and are more likely to be cherry picked. So how many will still be around twenty years from now? I don't know. But, Nic has 14 or them, so obviously some will be...

dPoole---
Your point is well taken. It is that the set is so well matched, and the impact it has looking it over as a whole, that makes it worth keeping intact. I think sometimes we look at a particular coin and scrutinize it, and from that comes an appreciation. I also say that sometimes you can step back and look at a group of coins, and scrutinize them less for every tic and hairline, but appreciate the impact the combination of the coins make. Sometimes it's fun to just park the magnification and bathe in the luster.
Clank

pontiacinf

sounds like the coins wanna stay together.

Nic

Clankeye,
I "invested" in double mint sets years ago, buying only/all those I felt were original, had pretty color, and had both inner and outer packaging. These became very hard to find when prices for singles started to rise. As time goes by the packaging will be more rare than the coins! Same with early proof sets/ packaging. Enjoy! K