How many unopened proof sets do you think

Prometheus183

are really unopened? I see tons of these on eBay, all claiming RARE and UNOPENED, with the lure of possibly finding those special varieties or errors. I mean, if I had a plethora of these, I would open every one in hopes of finding a 3k plus coin. If I didn't find anything, I could still sell them as whole sets. I have to wonder if they're really unopened or steemed open, searched, then resealed. Or, do I appear to have little faith in the wholesome honesty that envelopes the intire eBay community? Certainly they're not in it just for the money, right?

Craig

bearcave

0

mercurynut

Maybe one by accident.

foodude

On ebay, I have no idea. If bought a few '51-'54 proof sets a few weeks ago, and most were unopened. I bought them from someone that had originally bought them from the mint. Therefore, I know some exist unopened.

Russ

For the 1964 sets, something with which I have a little bit of experience, I'd guess about 10% are actually unopened since they came from the mint. The other 90% have had the contents checked and been resealed either in original or reprinted envelopes.

Russ, NCNE

MadMarty

Most of the nice stuff comes in open sets anyway! Just ask Russ!!!

291fifth

Almost all have been opened. Many were only very lightly sealed to begin with. Many more have been put into replacement envelopes that are identical to the originals.

foodude

Most of the nice stuff comes in open sets anyway!

Marty is so good, he can find nice stuff in the junk box.

XpipedreamR

2.6

Russ

<< <i>Most of the nice stuff comes in open sets anyway! Just ask Russ!!! >>



Marty is absolutely correct. All my best scores have come from open sets with an image. For example, the twins:





Came from these sets that showed up on eBay:



This coin:



Came from this set that showed up on eBay:



Just look for sellers who don't realize what they have.

Russ, NCNE

JrGMan2004

There was a guy at a local show yesterday, overheard him talking with a dealer, that he had bought a box of "100 unopened 1960 Small Date Proof Sets"... well, of course, you couldn't know that they were Small Dates, unless you opened them up... hahaha...

foodude

box of "100 unopened 1960 Small Date Proof Sets"

That's a good one

badger

I have been buying some 'unopened' sets on EBay. For a few of the sets, I have definite doubts about their virginity. It seems to be seller dependent. Webbulator seems to have sets that for all purposes seem to be untouched. I've bought and sampled sets from 1952-1964. There have been some finds and some duds.

I bought a large number of 1961 sets and kept them in order as I opened them. It may be my imagination, but it seems that you could tell when die maintenance was done. The quality would pick up and then taper off. The findings have been mixed. I have been keeping track of the $ spends, but don't have enough coins back from grading to publish the net results.

It is like a $300 lottery ticket with the drawing a month away.

I may be naive, but many sets appear to be unsearched.

ccex

When I started bidding on "unopened" 1855-63 proof sets on eBay, a friend emailed me saying that I would have better luck finding Cameo Proof Franklins with a metal detector on a a beach than I would have with such auctions on eBay.

foodude

Assuming the sets are trully unopened, what is the premium, say for '50-64?

badger

This week's sets are going for about:

1952 $600-605
1953 $380-450
1954 $220-240
1956 $60-70
1960 $25
1961 $16
1963 $15

The chances of cameos are better with the dates that are cheaper. However, the frequency of cameos for later dates is driving down the prices. There must be an optimum somewhere. The prices for 1952 seem high. It is almost needing a good hit every time to break even.

I still wouldn't rule out just buying sight seen.

cladking

Russ and MadMarty have it about right. Most of these have been checked whether
they're sealed or not, but cherrypicking works both ways. Containing gems may protect
a set from destruction or get it set aside but these too, get sold eventually. A collector
might have picked up a set or two back in the '60's because a cameo caught his eye. Such
sets eventually find their way back on the market and many collectors and dealers do not
set them aside. There have been a few times, in fact, that I've run into dozens of sets
there appear to have been cherry picked from a very large number of sets.

There are probably no faked mailing envelopes so look forthese still sealed and watch for
any nice fresh sets.

ebaytrader

We easily buy at least over a 1000's legit unopened sets a year, very common to see them from 1959-1964 mint sealed. Im sure their are 100's of thousands more still sitting in boxes unopened.
These years were hoarded by speculators in the 60's in large quantity, along with canadia p/l sets and bankwrapped rolls..
I beleive it is safe to presume that most all are original mint sealed, particulay when you see large lots of them.

Regards to all.

relayer

Unopened just means they are currently not open.

kamehameha00

One time I seen a guy on Sleezbay offering a (forgot the date) unopened proof set and he showed a picture of the inside of it