Proof Sets in Whitman/Capitol Holders - Higher or Lower Quality ?

relayer

I think proof sets in plastic holders are there for one of two reasons:

1) Someone wanted a nice set and took individual coins from a number of original proof sets

2) That same someone took the left over coins after building a nice set in a holder and made new proof sets with all of the left-overs


Why do you think there are proof sets in plastic holders?

lordmarcovan

I think you pretty much answered your own question with the two possibilities, with the possible addition of:

3) somebody just liked the plastic holder better than the original packaging.

Russ

Based on the dregs I've seen, I think it's predominantly option #2.

Russ, NCNE

LindeDad

Maybe they just wanted to be able to see there coins. Can't see that much threw the cellophane. Plus for long term storage the capitol plastics were what slabes are today. When I started collecting most of the TPG's didn't exist and that is true for a lot us around here. Many people used to get their coin sets from the mint and straight into the holder not to much thought of grading. And as a added comment I remember getting the mint sets to put in those blue folders too. Sure wish I still had some of them.

Deadhorse

Proof sets are one of the things I have found myself attracted to over time. Particularly silver sets and that means alot of them from the 50's.

Those Capitol holders were THE way to go back then. I've picked up some very nice ones in those holders. Some that have come back in high-end slabs from PCGS, in fact. At least you can see the dogs easier that way.

I think there are many reasons they get put into those holders but one of the primary reasons is simply because they are attractive to alot of people.

Nothing wrong with it, at least not that I know of. I've put a few sets together in the last few years and they went into those same Capitol holders if they didn't go to PCGS/NGC.

Hell, I wish I had invented them way back when. I'd have one heck of a coin collection by now if I had been so smart.

If they aren't slabbed, how else would you guys store your nice proof sets if you didn't have the original packing?

SanctionII

I am guilty of #1 and #2.

Over the years I have acquired many Proof and SMS sets because one or more coins was/were extremely nice (i.e. CAM/DCAM and/or great toning). I even remember a 1962 proof set I picked up where 4 out of the 5 coins were CAM/DCAM (I am waiting for the day when I find a set where all 5 coins are CAM/DCAM).

As the sets accumulated I took PQ coins and put them into a Whitman or Capital holder to make a 5 coins set that knocks your socks off. One of these days I will probably submit these sets to a TPG for grading. They would look nice in the NGC 5 coin holder.

For the left overs I put them in Whitman holders and sold them to dealers at shows or local shops to raise money for my next cherry picking adventure.

As for reasons other than #1 and #2, older sets (1955 non flat packs and earlier) had lousy packaging and those coins have been put in other holders to protect them. Also, some people simply like the looks of Capital holders.

Myqqy

While I haven't searched the huge number of sets that Russ has, I can say that the best sets I've found have been in capitol and other post mint holders.....