Your thoughts on 1958 proof sets vs. slabs?

bushmaster8

I noticed that 1958 proof sets are trading in the $65-$75 range now.

Yet, you can buy 1958 Franklins in PCGS PR67 for about $30!

Considering, the fact that most intact 1958 proof sets contain halves that would grade in the PR64-PR66 range, and the fact that the half is the "meat and potatoes" of these sets, it seems like the slabbed 67 might be a heckava good buy!

Or are intact 1958 sets now scarce enuff to justify buying the set as opposed to the Gem Proof slab?

PutTogether

Depends on how lucky you feel, and how you are trying to collect. I like to buy the sets because of my type set. If I can find one set in great shape for the date I want, then I get to use all the coins. If you collect just franklins, I'd say yeah, just get the slabbed one.

BillJones

I think someday there will be a demand in intact, original Proof sets from at least the 1955 flat packs to 1964. For earlier sets (1950 to 1955 box) it gets tougher because many collectors did not and still don't like the packaging. When I became interested in Proof sets from the late 19th and early 20th century, the original sets with matched toning and undipped surfaces were worth FAR more than the assembled sets, even if the assembled sets had nice coins in them.

A lot of Proof sets from the '50s and early '60s have been broken up for the comparitively small number of cameo coins that were in them. Others have been broken up for a the small number of nicely toned coins. There have also been sets broken to fill the demands of Proof singles collectors who for some reason were willing to pay high pirces for single coins. Some of these guys did have the sense to see that it was cheaper to buy the sets and break them up themselves.

At any rate I predict that there may be an "original holder" craze sometime in the future that is similar to the ultra high grade, cameo and toned coin crazes that we have seen of late. Maybe this high bid for 1958 Proof sets, which have been a minor key date in the series for some time, is an indicator of that.

291fifth

These earlier proof sets are getting to be a lot like "original" rolls. They have often been cherry-picked and what you are buying are the dregs that the sellers know won't do well at the grading services.