Is it logical to assume that if you opened one set of....

Crazy4Coins

... Proof coins or SMS coins from a box of 10, that all other coins in the box would be of similar quality. Since they were packaged in the same box would you expect that they were coined with the same dies and at the same time. Is it possible for there to be , lets say, a deep cameo hiding inside one of the sets?

The reason I asked is I have a number of Proof sets and SMS sets that have never been opened. At least one set has been opened from each box.What I assume was the original purchaser opened the first to see the quality of the run.Does this hold true for Silver eagles as well ( one tube of eagles in the green monster represents the others).

Randy

MadMarty

Usually that holds true, if you open a 64 and it's an AH they are usually all AHs, as for CAMEO that's a different story. I have open sealed boxes of SMS and had some be CAM and some not. So open the box and find out!!!

Russ

If they came from the mint at the same time, in the same batch, yes, it's a logical assumption. It is also what many dealers who sell volume in sealed sets will do. Spot check groups of sets and if nothing of consequence is found, sell the remainder as unopened.

Russ, NCNE

Crazy4Coins

That's what I kind of thought....

Randy

cladking

Spot checking is usually effective but there are some things to keep in mind. Sets do
get batched in various ways. It's not extremely unusual for runs to be broken and re-
placed by a different run. Even when there is a run going into sets, it's not unusual for
one or two denominations to come from different dies. Also it's not only the sets that
run like this, it's also the planchets and the way the press is operating. Presses are
shut off ocassionally for adjustment or cleaning especially when making mint or proof
proof sets. Most importantly keep in mind that runs are generally from over a period of
a dies life. They are not actually consecutive strikes, they are actually a random repre-
sentation of thousands of coins which were struk consecutively. This is especially impor-
tant if you're looking for old cameos; the cameo effect might last over only a small part
of this run. Operations vary from year to year and in the real world spot checking will
only tell you if more looking might be warranted and you will occasionally miss something.