2003 Nickels ordered from Mint......opened today

Manorcourtman

Ok I was bored last night. I decided to open a couple of rolls of the 2003 Nickels I ordered from the mint. The wrappers were so pretty and official looking and begged to be torn open!! I figured maybe I could find a couple of nice ones. So I figured what do I have to lose except the $4.95 mark-up from each box. So I cracked open 2 boxes. Then I ripped open all four rolls. What a dissappointment!! Here's what I found:

2003d - 80 coins, The best was maybe a MS64. No Full steps on any of the 80. All were slashed/nicked/weak strikes. 79/80-MS62-63

2003p- 80 coins, Maybe 8-10 were MS64. All the rest were 62-63. 11 of 80 were 5-6 full steps.

I realize this is not scientific by any means. I guess it's just a buyer beware!! These nickels are overpriced junk. They look like they were sent through the wash cycle 3 times and then put through the dryer twice. Beat to heck with pathetic, weak strikes. That about sums it up. But they are in very pretty wrappers!!!

M.

sinin1

scam artists?


they should be selling on eBay

wondercoin

It amazes me as well how horrible quality many of these modern MINT STATE coins are produced by the Mint. In particular, the Jeffs and Kennedy half dollars, followed closely by the state quarters. Thus far, not a single MS67FS for 2003(d) for example and just (3) MS66FS and now we are into a new year with all 2003 mint sets sold out! Remember, these nickels, for example cost around 5-8 cents each and require a $12 grading fee and if one could find an MS67FS 2003(d) nickel they would have a "four figure coin" and even in MS66FS a coin worth more than an MS66 Morgan Dollar! No doubt, it is "worth everyone's time" to spend $12.08 to make hundreds, if not thousands of dollars return.

I look forward to the day when the next generation of coin collectors write about the great post-1965 modern rarities and, IMHO, there will be many Mint State examples to write about spanning many coin series.

Wondercoin

MacCrimmon

<< <i>But they are in very pretty wrappers!!! >>



The nickels in the 100 2002 mint sets I sorted through were 95% abysmal. But I did make one 2002-P MS67FS which someone bought for $85....

Stooge

You would think that since the mint is selling rolls of new coins to consumers, (99.9% of the purchasers being coin collectors), that they would in turn make every effort to produce quality "Mint state" examples for such a program, especially since that they come with extra fees, but that simply is not the case. This is to me a national travisty that our own U.S. Mint is producing junk for the world to use.

Wondercoin has a good point, in which you may make alot of $$$ if you get the right roll, but how often does that happen? Quite often if you do this for a living.

I've heard nothing good regarding most of the circulation strike coins that come from the Mint and that is indeed sad!

Later, Paul.

Manorcourtman

Wondercoin-

You are certainly right about the Jeffs and Kennedy Halves. I feel very fortunate that I've made two 2003p Kennedy halves in MS67. Although I don't see thousands of coins like you and others may, I know a rarity when I see it. The nickels from 2003 may be the worst quality minted modern in a long time. I'm still looking for a 2003d Jeff. in 65. I find it amazing that in 2003 you can get a MS61 or MS62 in a mint set. Very pathetic!!

M.

wondercoin

"The nickels from 2003 may be the worst quality minted modern in a long time"

What is more amazing is how the Mint managed to produce NEAR PERFECT "P" mint Lincolns and great "d" mint Lincolns as well in 2003. The Lincolns from 2003 were among the greatest MS coins ever produced by the Mint! Yet, the nickels, half dollars, quarters were aweful AND, OOPS, I FORGOT TO MENTION SACS - Horrible Denver Sacs from 2003, but, we are all used to horrible Denver Sacs in EVERY year since the series began.

Incidently, from what I see/hear/discuss with collectors, etc., there have been been dealers/ colelctors/ speculators/ producers/ investors, etc. who have read these boards over the past year or so and set out to make thousands of dollars (if not hundreds of thousands of dollars) slabbing these "easy" MS Moderns. I believe most have failed (many, miserably) at what they set out to achieve (sure, some have made a few bucks, but, I'm talking about "setting the world on fire" which was their goal). The problem is few will post a thread entitled: "I am a believer in These MINT STATE Moderns Now After I Failed Miserably At Trying To Make Money In That Market As A Producer Of Coins"

Wondercoin

1907Quarter

to start with, there is very little control one has when coins go straight from the minting and thrown indiscriminantly into the hopper, producing all sorts of nicks and cuts....

TWQG

My bricks of 2003 P & D nickel rolls are looking better every day!

mrfred

It amazes me as well how horrible quality many of these modern MINT STATE coins are produced by the Mint.

I agree -- and on top of that, we have ultra-low-relief coins, and we don't have allegorical designs any more, just departed Presidents.

Faust

Has anyone opened the 1000 coin 2003 Nickel bags from the mint? I bought one D mint bag and was wondering whether its worth opening.

T.C.