Questions about 1947-1958 Mint Sets.

SanctionII

I have a 1956 Mint Set and since picking it up have enjoyed looking and learning a little bit about 1947-1958 Mint Sets. I do not know much and after stopping at a shop today and seeing another 1956 Mint Set it got me to thinking and thus this post.

The packaging of these Mint Sets have resulted in toned coins. Some of the toning is ugly, some is neutral and some is beautiful.

For those forum members with knowledge and experience with these Mint Sets please answer the following questions:

1. Do these Mint Sets have toning characteristics that are uniform based on the year of the Mint Sets (i.e., 1956 sets typically tone in a particular way and a 1957 set tones in a completely different way), based upon some other factor (i.e. the color of the paper covering the cardboard coin holder) or is the toning completely random (i.e. 10 1956 sets will each look completely different from each other and will also look different from 10 1957 sets)?;

2. Do the toning characteristics vary based upon the coin (i.e. copper cent vs. nickel five cent piece vs. silver dime, quarter and half) and are the same for coins with the same metal (i.e. dime, quarter and half);

3. Do the coins in these sets always develop toning or do some coins not tone at all (i.e. in a 1956 set one half will tone and the other half will not tone)? If some tone and some do not, why is that so?

4. Why did the mint produce "double" mint sets for these years so that there are two coins for a given year, from each mint that produced coins that year (i.e. the 1954 set has 30 coins total representing two of each of the 5 denominations from each of the three mints (2x5x3=30 coins)?

5. Has anyone acquired a complete run of Mints Sets from 1947-1958 and if so can you post pictures?

6. If anyone has a 1947 Mint Set Walker that has toned, can you post a picture?; and

7. What is your experience/knowledge about the 1947-1958 Mint Sets that you can share with us in forumland?

Thanks in advance for contributing to the education of forum members, myself included. SanctionII.

Mark

I think these are good questions and I'd like to know the answers. So I'll ttt this thread to keep it from falling off the first page.

Thanks to anyone who can answer.

Mark

tincup

Although I do not have extensive experience with these, I'll give my take on them---

1. Each year appears to have some 'general' characteristics. Seems that most 1954 sets I've seen are somewhat drab--- but have seen some really beautiful 1956 and 1958 sets! But each year can have some beautiful sets but they may be harder to find.

2. Metals do tone differently. Nickels seem to not tone the same as the silver coins.

3. These are probably not original sets if one is toned and the other not. One was probably replaced with another coin. But again, not always the case.

4. Supposedly so you could view the obverse and reverse for each denomination and mintmark?

5. Not me.... although I do have a few. Original ones are difficult to find with nice toning and matched coins (or that have not had coins swapped out).

6. No can do.

7. Beautiful coins if you can find an original set! And worth a premium!

tincup

Another thing I have found on some sets---- The obverse and reverse of the same coin can vary greatly. I once purchased a 1955 set.... I'm sure it was not completely original because some of the coins were nearly white and did not match the rest. But the halves were original. The odd thing was... one side of the halves were very ugly... but the other side had the most brilliant, neon red, green and blue colors! I have not run across any other mint set that had that type and pattern of color other than this one. So the set was worth it to me for those two coins.

TomB

I have quite a bit of experience with these early US Mint Sets and there are a few generalizations that may answer some of these questions-

1) The sets do seem to have a certain uniformity in toning for various years. Please keep in mind that the storage conditions, as much as anything else, will effect the quality of toning. However, some sets that come to mind are 1958 for occassionally wonderful burn chestnut and deep green; 1951 for light golden red and mint green; 1949 for intermingled reds, gold and green as well as years that don't yield great coins as often such as 1955 for subdued blues with gold and 1956 for deeper blues and grey.

2) The toning characteristics vary by metal. You may want to read the articles on my web site to learn a little more.

3) The sets can be scattershot and this is part of the mystery of toning.

4) I have no clue.

5) Yes. I have no pictures.

6) I don't have an image of one, but I am familiar with these being more speckled with auburn and other deep colors.

7) The above.

Ronyahski

I've collected these mint sets for a while now and can offer some observations. Foremost, I believe that the type of toning a coin out of these mint sets takes on depends on two factors, 1) the environment in which the coins were stored, and 2) how the coins were produced at their respective mints. Coins out of the same mint sets take on unique toning traits dependent on whether they come from Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco, so production variables have to be the primary determinate of toning. Having said that, howeve, a third factor is that mint sets have toning characteristics indicative of the year of mintage. So, the combination of these factors determines how a mint set tones.

1948-1949 - Generally, these sets are the hardest to find nicely toned. They tend to have hazy or subdued toning, sometimes blotchy. Colors are brown to golds, with blues appearing in 49 sets, moreso with dimes and the P halves. 49S halves are almost always mottled toning. 49-D halves are near impossible with any nice color.

1951-1954 - These sets are more likely found lightly toned than others. Colors can vary, from blue/gold tones, to green/brown tones. 51-S and 52-S quarters are easier found nicely toned, while the 54-S is hard in higher grades.

1955 - Anywhere from lightly to heavily toned. Heavy toning is almost always blues, especially the halves. One coin that is impossible to find nicely toned is the 55-D quarter, a rare coin in high grade. The nickels are ususally downright ugly, but that is indicative of production quality during that time (refer to Nagengast book).

1956 - Better quality than the 55, again appearing mostly blues, though halves are more easily found nicely toned. Philadelphia quarters can be spectacular out of a 56 mint set, while the 56-D are like 55-D, hard to find nice.

1957-1958 - Definately the easiest to find nicely toned, and generally for all - dimes, quarters and halves. Colors are inclusive, from blues to purples to greens. A natural conclusion to make is that the color of the toning depends on the color of the paper in the mint sets, but I have not found that to be the case. After reading some other posts from more knowledgeable about the science of toning, thin film interference, etc., I don't think the color of the paper is relevant.


My experience has been that from 3 to 5 years ago, as popularity increased for nicely toned dimes and quarters, and starting earlier for the halves, these mint sets were increasingly picked over. Finding fresh mint sets now are mostly a matter of luck, as in finding one that has been tucked away for many years that surfaces on the market. I've also seen that sets that retain their original outer mailing envelopes command a premium over those that don't.

SanctionII

TTT.

Back in the saddle this Thursday morning and have read the replies to my initial post. Thanks all, very interesting comments.

Any other forumites interested at sharing their knowledge and experience on the 1947-1958 Mint Sets?

CarlWohlforth

I always suspected those sets where one or two coins are not toned. It is easy to replace a high grade coin and still sell the set as original.

I guessed that the paper makes a difference. One half of my set has great colors the other half is more mundane.

Here are some photos: