unopened proof sets?

lonelyp

Can anyone tell me a good way to tell if a suposedly unopened proof set has been faked without opening it?

I am asking about flat pack sets,

holadude

I didn't think they were sealed. I have mint sets that the envelopes are open, and that's how I got them, so I'm not sure.

tjkillian

It all depends upon which years you are talking. 19th century proofs were sold individually and were not sealed at all. Modern ones through 1955 are in boxes that were sealed when shipped from the mint. I'm not too familar with ultra moderns.

Tom

lonelyp

I'm talking about between 1950 and 64

segoja

Everything about the envelop should be fresh. Be careful some envelops are being reprinted and look too fresh.

The glue on the original seal doesn't cover the entire flap. The ends are a little loose, but still a good tight seal. Best thing to do is buy from a trusted source or look at some at a local show.

I have a few listed on e-bay now, but it is impossible to see glue seals in pictures. You just have to trust hwoever is selling.

brockdabadger

if not mistaken the glue also runs from one end to the other, received some so called un-opened and they had spaces between the glue like in a NEW envolope

Russ

So called "mint sealed" proof sets is one of the biggest scams on eBay. When I first started hunting this stuff, maybe 30% of the stuff was listed as "sealed". Now it's about 70%. The vast majority of this material has been picked over and re-sealed.



<< <i>I didn't think they were sealed. I have mint sets that the envelopes are open, and that's how I got them >>



Through 1964, proof sets were shipped sealed. Mint sets, however, were not. So, all of the "mint sealed" mint sets listed are pure BS.

Russ, NCNE

MadMarty

<< <i>Through 1964, proof sets were shipped sealed. Mint sets, however, were not. So, all of the "mint sealed" mint sets listed are pure BS. >>



Unless they are sealed in the postmarked taped envelope!

millennium

Unless I know the seller PERSONALLY...I assume they have all been opened.....

KeithinMD

It is unbelievable the number of "unopened" proof sets that are sold on ebay. I am starting to think that even the mylar packaging is fake, just as the envelopes are.

relayer

The easiest way to buy a real unopened proof set is to not buy them on eBay.

Only buy them from old people who bought them from the Mint years ago and stored them away.

Edit: The exception is what Marty pointed out:
Unless they are sealed in the postmarked taped envelope!
But those are probably still a 50/50 bet

Russ

<< <i>Only buy them from old people who bought them from the Mint years ago and stored them away. >>



But, that's where all these eBay sellers got them. Right?

Russ, NCNE