Unopened proof sets...How can you tell

ksteelheader

if they truly are opened. The reason I ask is because of questions in my mind about the envelopes that you can buy on e-bay. Here is an interesting link that made want to inquire. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated....Ken....link

Steve27

It case you don't know, compucheap is Russ. My research into 1964 proof sets has led me to the conclusion that most of the unopened proof sets, for sale on ebay, were not sealed by the mint. Either they came with the envelopes never sealed or the envelopes were replaced. Additionally, as long as people will pay a premium for "unopened" sets, this will continue to happen.

ccrdragon

Easy - you can't. Well, not quite true. If you look at the condition of the envelope, the ones that have been stored for a long time will have imprints (sort of) of the coins that have been in them. They will also take on an aged, almost brittle quality. If you buy 'unopened' ones, and the envelopes are crisp and look new, you've been had...

kranky

Looks like one of Russ' public service auctions, trying to warn people about the risks of buying "unopened" proof sets on ebay. There are people out there who sell brand-new reproductions of the envelopes used by the Mint from the mid-50s until 1964.

I think the only relatively safe option is to buy them in the unopened shipping cartons. You can find those from time to time.

Cameo CC

For me - one way to tell is to find the Proof sets in a sealed US Postal box.

Todd

Russ

I can't believe people actually bid in that auction. It's a good thing I set the reserve high enough to prevent the reading impaired from winning.

Russ, NCNE

Russ

BTW, here's an image of an original that shows the imprinting that ccrdragon spoke of.



It came from a mint sealed box of ten.

Fact is, my best scores have come from opened sets where the seller posted an image, not unopened sets.

Russ, NCNE

MAULUMALL

<< <i>I can't believe people actually bid in that auction. It's a good thing I set the reserve high enough to prevent the reading impaired from winning.

Russ, NCNE >>



And, yep, it is sealed. I know, I licked the flap myself. It doesn't have any coins in it, but I could easily have slid a picked over set inside before sealing. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

TOOO funny....

WANNABEDEALER

If that scan color is accurate, then that is not an original mint used envelope. The replacement envelopes are that color, real envelopes are lighter in color. Also when you open it you will find the glue is different, three small splotches of glue instead of continous glue on the envelope. The replacement envelopes are readily available. I see auctions by a dealer in the south with monster quantities of sealed proof sets all the time, it makes you wonder.
I have seen all styles of original envelopes, 1955 flat packs, 1956 with side opening like the 1955's and top opening, 1957 in white mint envelopes. If it is dark like the one in the scan, IMHO it is a replacement, they did not come that deep a color.

ElectricEye

I have wondered too about the possibility of steaming the little bastages open and re-sealing later after making sure there are no cameos or accenteds in them. A '64 set I opened earlier this week had a non-cam accented half that is now at PCGS (looked as good as the day it rolled out). You can bet I'll pay a premium for this guy's sets but another dealer sent me a putrid smelling '61 and he is on my no buy list. I think you really have to get one and take a close look at the envelope. All of the sets I have gotten have had wear on the envelope and the smell of old books so far...

MacCrimmon

<< <i>I see auctions by a dealer in the south with monster quantities of sealed proof sets all the time, it makes you wonder. >>



FWIW, I've bought plenty from a guy in the south (webbulator), and the coins from most sets were
'spot on'! Several nice 67-68 CAM Frankies, loads of killer Jeffs, and some "smokin'" 54s that scream!.
Oh yeah, a slight must but nice coins inside. The only real "screw jobs" are those sets where the
pliofilm has cracked or has pin holes.....those are usually dead meat.

Look original to me....and the glue lines on the cardboard inserts have always matched the direction
of the envelopes....at least they better

I'm about to submit 50-60 of these proofs for slabbin'....I'll let you know......in about 3 months given
the current turnarounds..........slan go foill.

MacCrimmon

cladking

Getting original sets tends to be much easier than most collectors realize. There
were never a lot of people going through these sets to pull out the nicest ones. For
the main part they were just ignored. Those who did look for varieties or gems had
a big tendency to destroy (or cause to be destroyed) most of the rejects also. Some
people did look through dealers' stocks for nicer examples, but in many cases these
sets will flow back into the market as readily as rejects because the general public
has no idea that modern coins have any particular value in high grade. While there is
some obvious decrease in average set quality for some dates or individual coins it is
not pervasive in most mint and proof sets.

JOHNandBEA

Anyone have experience with breneau@ev1.net out of Houston, he has many for bid/sale?


John

melikecoins

John
(breneau@ev1.net)
I have bought from him with good result.
Glen

JOHNandBEA

Glen thanks............they have a bunch of unopened proof sets.

Think I will try a few.


John

JOHNandBEA

I just googled "unopened proof sets " and a place called The Coin Shop sells mint envelopes for 1955 to 1964 proof sets!........but without the date in the lower left corner, maybe this is one way to check its authenticity..........?


John