Would you pay $2.50 for a 1900- 5 pc. proof set?
roadrunner
Posts: 28,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
That's what the original price was back in 1900! Some interesting documentation was attached to a proof set I recently purchased.
It took a month until the seller was able to go back and recover the paperwork for me. I just received it today at a show. It would have been a shame if it got thrown out.
The set had remained in the same family since 1900. The coins were still wrapped in heavy paper and placed in a US Treasury Dept. envelope. Same thing used today when the bank gives you a wad of cash. However this older envelope was woven with the threads plainly visible. The buyer also purchased 2 extra sets of minor coins along with the 5 pc. standard set. The coins had been wrapped up since purchased. The silver coins have deeper blue/purple toning.
The minor coinage toned only a bit in the wrappers. The envelope has written in pen: "F.W. Smith...Set of proof coins from mint...1900."
The following information came off the mint's cover letter. It was sort of neat in that it is high quality bond paper with a nice crisp feel.
The original mint issue price for a 1900 - 5 piece silver/minor proof set was $2.50. The gold coins were priced at $38.50. You could get the 2 minor coins alone for 8 cents. The silver coins were not sold individually. You could get single proof gold coins for 25 cents over face value. The cover page is signed by the Mint Superintendant (Henry Boyer) and the Director (George Roberts). On the reverse is a mint price list for gold, silver and bronze medals. The majority are presidential pieces. An Indian peace medal would have set you back $1.00. Most of the other medals range from 25 cents to $2.00. Guess the mint was dabbling in medals on the side.
roadrunner
It took a month until the seller was able to go back and recover the paperwork for me. I just received it today at a show. It would have been a shame if it got thrown out.
The set had remained in the same family since 1900. The coins were still wrapped in heavy paper and placed in a US Treasury Dept. envelope. Same thing used today when the bank gives you a wad of cash. However this older envelope was woven with the threads plainly visible. The buyer also purchased 2 extra sets of minor coins along with the 5 pc. standard set. The coins had been wrapped up since purchased. The silver coins have deeper blue/purple toning.
The minor coinage toned only a bit in the wrappers. The envelope has written in pen: "F.W. Smith...Set of proof coins from mint...1900."
The following information came off the mint's cover letter. It was sort of neat in that it is high quality bond paper with a nice crisp feel.
The original mint issue price for a 1900 - 5 piece silver/minor proof set was $2.50. The gold coins were priced at $38.50. You could get the 2 minor coins alone for 8 cents. The silver coins were not sold individually. You could get single proof gold coins for 25 cents over face value. The cover page is signed by the Mint Superintendant (Henry Boyer) and the Director (George Roberts). On the reverse is a mint price list for gold, silver and bronze medals. The majority are presidential pieces. An Indian peace medal would have set you back $1.00. Most of the other medals range from 25 cents to $2.00. Guess the mint was dabbling in medals on the side.
roadrunner
0
Comments
You know you now have to post pics?
The silver coins won't photograph well due to the deeper color. The minor coins would.
roadrunner
42/92
<< <i>I'm still not techno saavy at this point >>
If your going to tease us with an old proof set, then that has to change
<< <i>Idhair, I wish I could post pics but I'm still not techno saavy at this point. Someday I'll get on the bandwagon and figure this all out.
The silver coins won't photograph well due to the deeper color. The minor coins would.
roadrunner >>
Well ok. I guess you get to slide on this
But someday you have to share it with us.
I'm really happy you got the paperwork to go with it.
Not many can say that. It's a real find.
It sure adds history to the set. Congrats roadrunner.
We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.