Early proof sets in original boxes

centmaster

I was lucky enough to find 2 early proof sets from the 50s in the original boxes this week. I'm wondering what to do. I know that at least 95% of proof sets from that era are now in some type of hard holder, so the original boxes are very cool and probably worth more, but one of the sets averages PR66, so I'm tempted to send them in to PCGS. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

darktone

I like the coolness factor of the original boxes and packaging but they don't seem to bring much of a premium- in fact the 55 flat pack brings more than the boxed set because the coins are usually in better condition. If the coins are not cameo- are they worth submitting? Good post on a good subject. mike

nankraut

The original boxes (1955 & earlier) provided very marginal protection for the coins. The cellophane soon became brittle and cracked open, and coins would be exposed to each other, resulting in spotting/scratches/etc. If the coins look extra nice, I would send them to PCGS. I have sold lots of original boxes, without the coins. So, anyone who obtains an original box can put inferior coins in it, seal it up, and sell it as "opriginal unopened". Believe me, it has happened. JMHO.

DCAMFranklin

I've never understood the appeal.

Neptune

so where would be a good reputable place to get these things.

BillJones

The truth is, despite all of the complaints about how the boxes provided poor protection, the coins that were stored in them often remain quite nice. If you stored the boxes in your attic or basement you were headed for trouble. But given reasonable good storage the coins fared well in my experience.

The really bad sets that I have seen from this era were those that were stored in Lucite holders. These holders are moisture traps, and I’ve seen many pieces with spots and “bad pennies.” The coins were also vulnerable to dipping which often started them down the slippery slope of repeated dipping that impaired them.

The two exceptions to this are the 1954 and 1955 box sets that were packaged in the murky plastic sleeves. A large percentage of those sets developed ugly brown toning on the silver coins. The mint made the switch to these inferior sleeves mid way through 1954 and used them for all of the 1955 box sets. For this reason I think that really nice 1954 sets are somewhat underrated.

The allure of the boxes comes from the fact that the coins are so original. As the greed factor takes over and more sets are broken up to be slabbed, the number of original boxed Proof sets will get smaller and smaller. I can see that day when original Proof sets from the early 1950s that contain really nice coins will sell at a premium. That is certainly true of 19th century and early 20th century Proof sets. Original sets from that era with matched toning on the silver coins, bring far more than assembled sets, even when the assembled sets are high grade.

How do you know if a set has been repackaged? The best way is educate yourself. Go to a show a look at a lot of sets. After a while you will learn the characteristics of the original sets, boxes and wrappers. And you might talk to dealers who specialize in Proof sets. Some of them can be great sources of knowledge.

centmaster

Thanks, everyone, for all the input. The coins really do appear to be original and are largely untoned. They must have been protected very well over the years.