Unopened Proof Sets ? for you

Lori

I see a lot of 50's & 60's proof sets selling on ebay. They say unopened. Are they really unopened? Is there someway they are looking at them and resealing them? Thanks for any imput.

Lori

DHeath

Lori,

Know the seller. Some companies really do sell unopened sets, but a quick search of ebay will lead you to auctions for reproduction envelopes that are exact duplicates of the mint envelopes of the era. Best luck can be had buying sealed boxes of sets. Good luck!

Russ

They are like loaves and fishes. They continue to multiply as if by magic.

IMO, most are not "unopened"; in particular if coming from a coin dealer. At the very least, the dealer is spot checking some sets to see if he's in a batch of nice ones before he auctions off the rest. I can show you one particular dealer who sells a lot of raw Accented Hair Kennedy halves, but never any raw non-AH halves. He also sells lots of "unopened" 1964 sets. I guess he's just lucky that the only sets he opens contain Accented Hairs.

I look for sets being sold by people who don't normally deal in coins. The odds are better.

Russ, NCNE

SarasotaFrank

If you are buying a proof set for some sort of implied authenticity, I would not be inclined to buy them "unopened" on ebay. Unless you intend to open the set, there is just no telling what might be in there.

I recently debated purchasing a 1954 boxed proof set - unopened. I would only be buying it for the "authenticity", as opposed to the potential contents. I can get a good opportunity to examine any number of 54 proof sets in capital holders, but this one - there's just no telling.

Funny thing, my dealer had two of these boxed proof sets - one with the box seal opened and one still taped shut. As I opened the unsealed one, I found the coins in individual plastic envelopes - all stapled together. It appeared quite authentic. I was considering purchasing it, although I did not like the looks of the Jeff.

Another customer came by the counter where I was examining about a dozen 54 proof sets. He asked if he could look at the boxed set. Next thing I knew, he was trying to buy it! To my shop owners credit, he asked if I wanted it before he sold it.

GaCoinGuy

I took my first crack at some unopened 64 proof sets this week.......from 2 different sellers........1 actually had been opened, but it had an AH Kennedy, so no problem there. The other 2 still were intact in the original mint envelop with the batch number or whatever from the mint still on it...........1 definate non-AH, and the other I'm not sure on.....gonna try to get a decent pic and see if anyone here can make a determination.

Lori

I have bought quite a few "sealed" "unopened" proof sets and have found nothing in the 1964 department for Kennedy's. I will say I lucked out with a few sets that are beautifully toned. I even have a bluish or lavender nickel from 1961 that I LOVE. That set also produced a very pink quarter. I bought all from coin dealers on eBay. I have 5 sets of 1964 coming from a dealer hopefully tomorrow. Maybe I will luck out and find something great. Thanks for all the info!

Lori

Russ

<< <i>I even have a bluish or lavender nickel from 1961 that I LOVE. >>



Found a few from '64 sets myself. I think they're very cool.

Russ, NCNE

LucyBop

Lucy just got a 59 proof set that I bought as an 'unopened' ebay auction. I need a 59 proof Frankie for my Registry set, after looking at the half, I too, wished I had not opened it and it would have remained unopened. The seller had the right idea.

MAULUMALL

I have just opened a 58 and 59 "unopened proof sets" I got off of Ebay.The envulopes looked Brand new as did the cardboerd inside.
The only thing of note was the 58 Washington that airplanenut posted a few days ago.

IrishMike

Recently an ebay seller was selling the envelopes for the proof sets 55-64. These envelopes are being manufactured as we speak for coin dealers. Just because the envelope is new doesn't mean it is orginal. In fact a new envelope might be a sign that the set was repackaged. I tend to believe that a great number of these have been opened and reinserted in these envelopes.

MAULUMALL

I definitly believe you.
Was there any paperwork inserted in the proof sets back then.