Poor Treatment

newbiecollector

Just a quick photo thru the celo of a 1969 mint set 1 cent.

My question is does the mint do this sort of thing very often?
The finger print in real life is almost black!

BillJones

Mishandling at the mint has been an on-going problem for years. I've had return recent Proofs (over last five years) to the mint because there were finger prints on the coins. The mint replaced the coins, but I still out the postage, which made my Proof set purchase a loser.

It's hard to tell what might have happened to this 1969-S cent. It's been in that cello pouch for almost 40 years, and over that time a lot can happen.

adamlaneus

This is one reason I like the new mint packaging starting in 2007. I suspect that 30 years later, the new packaging will look much the same and the coin will be little worse for the wear, as it has not been sliding around in cellophane.

Some of the old packages look pretty beaten up from their handling over the years.

And yes, many of the coins were not perfect either. Fortunately, they made plenty of sets and they are cheap so you can always try again!

It is quite a skill to detect the quality of a coin through an old, crusty mint cellophane package.

19Lyds

"My question is does the mint do this sort of thing very often?"

If it is the only set you own then its one time too many!

Actually, I believe that the folks who work in packaging department for the US Mint have absolutely no clue on how to handle coins. I don;t believe their supervisors or managers do either or else there would be some type of education on packaging a quality product.

If I were Edmund Moy, I'd be embarrased! Whats the point in producing a "quality product" if the packaging and shipping departments ruin it?

In reality, if the volume is more than what can be handled professionally then maybe they should revisit limiting the amount folks can order or address beefing up their staff!

Granted, your coin was packaged in 1969 but I'm a little shocked by some of the stuff that has shown up in proof sets lately! Its almost as if packaging were done down at the local Starbucks instead of in a clean environment!

newbiecollector

I only have a very few mint sets...........6-8 I think.

The coin in hand, thru the cello looks very nice on the Obv.............no money maker but nice..........

The Rev has a black and well defined finger print. I had no idea that the Mint didn't handle these better.

Thanks for the input

stman

That's not a print. THIS is a print. Or perhaps "textile" toning? Yes it's mine.

adamlaneus

Wow. That is an ugly Kennedy.

I think it is important for folks to see coins like this. With items this bad out there, it should make us appreciate the good coins even more.

stman

<< <i>Wow. That is an ugly Kennedy >>



Thanks!