Break open mint sets?

KUCH

Ok, another question for a newbie.... If one had 1971 mint set...should it be broken out and submit each con for grading? What about those Eisenhower's 1971 Silver..... break out and submit?

Cladiator

If there are truely stand out-high grade coins then submit those. Spend the rest

carl

The cost of having any or all of them graded would be far more than the value of the coins. Sort of like making a wooden, glass covered frame for a 1997 Lincoln Cent in EF condition.

TorinoCobra71

Negative.......Keep the Set!

TC71

cladking

1971 is a great date for mint sets. It was low mintage and attrition has been extremely high.
Attrition has been high because between about 1977 and 2005 the coins in the set were worth
more as pocket change or as BU singles. It's only been the last year that a set premium has
developed. The '71-P D, and S cent rolls have always had a premium because relatively few
were saved. The nickel rolls are also a premium date with the Philly roll selling for up to $30.
The dime rolls are better date but there is little demand so it's not apparent how scarce the
Philly roll is. The Philly quarter is not available in rolls but the Denver is one of the more "common"
early clad quarter rolls. THe Philly half roll has also been getting a lot more expensive recently
too. This roll was saved but the demand keeps ratcheting up and there are simply not enough
to satisfy it. Philly rolls of all these are quite poor and this may be much of the reason so very
few were saved. Denver quality is of a very wide range for the date but gems are much easier
and the average much higher (especially quarters).

Unfortunately, mint set quality is also very poor for the date and affects mostly the Philly issues.
It's unlikely you'll find a '71 set with even one coin worth the slabbing fee but about one set in
four will have a minor gem (usually a cent or D quarter).

Until recently the best bet was to cut these and send in the top 1% for grading. Even if a set
contained no good coins then it would still be worth more apart than together. Now, however,
you lose the set premium if you bust it up and the chances of recouping it with gems are not
very good.

19Lyds

Good Luck on the 71-S Ike. Good grades are difficult to find. One thing you must look for though is the 71-S Peg Leg. These are very rare and do command a hgh premium to the knowledgable collector! (Even if they can't spell!)