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Unopened Mint Sets from the late Forties and Early Fifties


How much or How many times over bid would you pay for a late forties or early fifties (pre 55) mint set that is guaranteed unopened ?

I know unopened bank rolls use to sell for a premium but it is not so true today. IMO

Stewart

Comments

  • RegistryCoinRegistryCoin Posts: 5,117 ✭✭✭✭
    "Unopened" has many definitions today, as you mention, and the reason that premiums are not offered anymore, or much, by the saavy. When I used to "make" my own coins, perusing thousands of one date to find an outstanding example, nothing was guaranteed, but it was worth the hunt, and the "find".
    If given, that a purchase was guaranteed unculled, a premium would probably be appropriate. But, with the abilities of today's sellers of such items, to "professionally" "re-close" sets, rolls, etc, it has become more difficult to quote a qualified premium amount over original cost, or published value. Personally, I find the risk too great, at any amount, to persue a quality coin in this manner anymore.
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 12,024 ✭✭✭✭✭
    <<<<<I know unopened bank rolls use to sell for a premium but it is not so true today. IMO>>>>>>

    I do not agree with that statement. Just try to buy unopened obw 1955-P 1c rolls without paying a premium.

    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • WindycityWindycity Posts: 3,524 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I pay a premium but only if I know the history of the sets. If they have been in one persons collection for 20+ years then I begin to believe the chance of truly unopened is real.

    Also, when I open an "unopened" set, I open with a knife to be certain it can't be "resealed" by someone at a later time. I make a clean cut so the envelop remains nice.
    <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.mullencoins.com">Mullen Coins Website - Windycity Coin website
  • RegistryCoinRegistryCoin Posts: 5,117 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Also, when I open an "unopened" set, I open with a knife to be certain it can't be "resealed" by someone at a later time. I make a clean cut so the envelop remains nice. >>


    So that the DNA is, therefore, less confused? image
  • STEWARTBLAYNUMISSTEWARTBLAYNUMIS Posts: 2,697 ✭✭✭✭

    Would I get the same answers if the sets were in a Heritage auction ?
    You guys either have no Balls or they are microscopic.

    I don't want these sets to go to auction and I will buy them.Win or lose I will buy them at multiples of bid.

    Stewart
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Also, when I open an "unopened" set, I open with a knife to be certain it can't be "resealed" by someone at a later time. I make a clean cut so the envelop remains nice. >>



    That's a nice thought. The problem is that envelopes are readily available. I cut the sets up and put the coins in rolls to eliminate the possibility.

    Russ, NCNE
  • Stewart,
    Is your aim to find high quality Lincoln's from these sets. ? While the silver coinage seems to fair well in these, taking on attractive tone.
    I have found Lincolns do not. And are often RB. Still I would think a 30% min premium would be in order

    Chris
  • ........i bought two "guareenteed" unopened 1956 mint sets; few of the coins had tone that matched ! unopened my ass - and i sure was one to get conned like that .image
  • rainbowroosierainbowroosie Posts: 4,875 ✭✭✭✭
    Payed double bid plus....was a nice original GRAY set...oh well, you can buy it cheaper from Greattoning when I sell it!image
    "You keep your 1804 dollar and 1822 half eagle -- give me rainbow roosies in MS68."
    rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
  • GandyjaiGandyjai Posts: 1,380 ✭✭
    I bought an "unopened" proof set once...and paid a hefty premium for it being "unopened"
    When I opend the set, it still had a dealers price sticker complete with the dealer's code and selling
    price afixed to the mint set.
    That was THE LAST time I ever bought an "UNOPENED" set.

    Happy Hunting!
    Brian (Gandyjai)
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I bought an "unopened" proof set once...and paid a hefty premium for it being "unopened"
    When I opend the set, it still had a dealers price sticker complete with the dealer's code and selling
    price afixed to the mint set. >>



    I once found a newspaper ad and the original purchase receipt from the dealer inside an "unopened" 1964 proof set. image

    Russ, NCNE
  • What fool would sell an unopened one these days. You could ALWAYS get more from an auction, or open and get grades yourself. If you want the most profit $$$ - right Russ?
    The Accumulator - Dark Lloyd of the Sith

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  • STEWARTBLAYNUMISSTEWARTBLAYNUMIS Posts: 2,697 ✭✭✭✭
    Lloyd - People die and their spouses have to sell their modern "Crap"
    If I offer the right price I can buy these sets.Perhaps you need to expand your Horizons.There are fresh deals out there contrary to what you may hear.These sets are fresh !

    Stewart

  • i disagrree on one point ,
    - how many people order those old mint sets and never open them ?? maybe a bulk lot of 5 or 10 sets might remain unopened (very slim chance of that) but likes been said , any buyer of such bulk sets would tear them open like a kid on Christmas morning !!!
  • MadMonkMadMonk Posts: 3,743


    << <i>i disagrree on one point ,
    - how many people order those old mint sets and never open them ?? maybe a bulk lot of 5 or 10 sets might remain unopened (very slim chance of that) but likes been said , any buyer of such bulk sets would tear them open like a kid on Christmas morning !!! >>



    I would have to agree to a very high degree. I believe it takes more discipline than many have. Funny thing is, no-one ever asks did the Mint seal them. Did you ever get an old mint or proof set with the inner emvelope sealed?
    Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Funny thing is, no-one ever asks did the Mint seal them. Did you ever get an old mint or proof set with the inner emvelope sealed? >>



    Through 1964, the mint did seal the proof sets. But, only the center third of the flap was glued down so if you get one that has the entire flap glued down it's highly likely it's a repack - which the vast majority on the market are. Mint sets, I don't know about.

    Russ, NCNE
  • Real unopened material pre 1955 is not for the people of this forum, they would not pay enough for it. Dealers pay over ask for real unopened material and some 10 and 20% more than that for real rare stuff, where do you think they are getting their high grade fresh coins.
  • At a show last wkend, I saw two "unopened" 1960 proof sets.

    The envelopes were pristine and a sticker affixed to the envelopes proclaimed "From a sealed box of SD's".

    So I bought one set ($30) , took it outside and opened it: it was indeed a nice small date set and the mylar showed no signs of previous handling. I went back and copped the other set, it was nice as well.
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  • cmanbbcmanbb Posts: 1,059 ✭✭✭✭✭
    These are some of the reasons/thoughts I have when looking/reading "unopened" sets for sale. It is also the reason why I only purchase boxes of unopened sets (5-25 sets in each box) that are still sealed with shipping labels, posmarked, and for sure never opened. To this day I have accumulated 130+ sets unopened..................and they are still unopenedimage
  • segojasegoja Posts: 6,136 ✭✭✭✭
    Unopened boxes are worth a premium.

    On unopened mint sets, I'm not sure I would pay a big premium, as most are not that nice any way.

    i rather pay a premium for a nice opened set.

    Chances of something neat in an early mint set are not real good.

    Unopened early proof sets will have pristine coins, but hairlines will still be evident. The lines get in there opened or unopened.

    Better to buy and sell them unopened, than open them at today's premium and be disappointed.

    How about unopened CC's????
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  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,468 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Lloyd - People die and their spouses have to sell their modern "Crap"
    If I offer the right price I can buy these sets.Perhaps you need to expand your Horizons.There are fresh deals out there contrary to what you may hear.These sets are fresh !

    Stewart >>



    Stewart

    I believe many of these sets are still available, sealed in their original envelopes.

    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • SteveSteve Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭
    IMHO anyone who would pay a premium above current market for a supposed "unopened" proof or mint set is NOT a true collector of coins, but just a gambler. You might just as well play the lottery. Steve image
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,701 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I get a kick out of opening the sealed boxes of later mint sets. There doesn't seem
    to be a much better chance of finding the better stuff but the chances for finding var-
    ieties is higher and there could be a spectacular gem (the chances really should be a
    little higher). More nice coins seem to appear in sets that were obviously cherry picked
    by the previous owner than come from the unopened sources.
    Tempus fugit.
  • MadMartyMadMarty Posts: 16,697 ✭✭✭
    Unopened BOXES fetch a big premium! The problem like Russ said is that all the material is out there to reseal even the box sets!
    It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving!!!

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,468 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Would I get the same answers if the sets were in a Heritage auction ?
    You guys either have no Balls or they are microscopic.

    I don't want these sets to go to auction and I will buy them.Win or lose I will buy them at multiples of bid.

    Stewart >>



    I made a statement that these mint sets are available still sealed in their original envelopes. And here's why, over five years ago I came across a buyer of these early sets while searching for full step nickels. I would ask the winning bidders of those sets if I could buy the nickels if they were not interested in them. Sometimes I'd get the nickels, most of the time, I would not. But one buyer I came across had no intentions in opening the sets, that he bought the sets for investment purposes only. This thread prompt me to buy a $5 DBX decoder for my old emails and lo and behold, I was able to locate this buyer and send him an email.
    I offered 25% to 35% more then he paid and he has responded that he remembers me but that the sets are not for sale. Yet, he said that he would let me know if he changes his mind.
    First off, I was amazed that I was able to locate this buyer's email address and that the guy actually responded and still has the 2 mint sets dated 1952 and 1954. I do not know if he has others.
    But I guess my point is that these sets will keep popping up every so often because not all the buyers of these sets are collectors or dealers.

    So at what price would it take to pry these coins from this investors hands? And remember folks, I get the nickels! image

    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

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