Newp: 1955 Mint Set

Meltdown

I just picked this up a couple days ago. The Philly mint coins are very colorful... here's a few shots.





The Denver coins are really badly toned almost black on the backsides. I'm a big fan of toning, but this is
just plain ugly. There's a lot of luster still under all that dark, my question is can they be restored? I've experimented with
EZ-Zest in the past and it flat out ruins the luster if coins are overdipped. Is MS 70 any safer? Any other suggestions to bring
these Denvers back?

lcoopie

Does anyone know if the paper used was different chemically
from 1956, 1957, or 58?

It's interesting that the P are so much nicer than the D in your 1955 set.

In my 1957 set , the D are nicer than the P.

TheRaven

The "black" coins should not be messed with in my opinion.

Leave them be, shows nice originality.....

drwstr123

$0.21 postage for 22 coins, insured? Man, how did we get here?

SamByrd

Please leave the coins alone , I would suggest you sell the set and get some shiney coins on the bay. It is tragic so many of these sets are being destroyed really it is in my opinion.

Meltdown

<< <i>The "black" coins should not be messed with in my opinion.

Leave them be, shows nice originality..... >>



I would leave them alone rather than risk damaging them or killing the luster. I am a fan of toning, but
these are pretty much black. I thought if there was a safe way to lessen the darkness I would consider it.
I've taken them out of the cardboard for now to prevent any more.

Also, Lcoop... my 57 set the denver mint coins are nicer as well. The paper used in this set is a real light
green in color, super thin with a weird texture... almost like rice paper. That must be the difference.

19Lyds

<< <i>$0.21 postage for 22 coins, insured? Man, how did we get here? >>



I think it took another 200 million folks to be added to the roster!



<< <i>The Denver coins are really badly toned almost black on the backsides. I'm a big fan of toning, but this is
just plain ugly. There's a lot of luster still under all that dark, my question is can they be restored? I've experimented with
EZ-Zest in the past and it flat out ruins the luster if coins are overdipped. Is MS 70 any safer? Any other suggestions to bring
these Denvers back? >>



Please define "overdipped"?

Meltdown

When I was younger and dumber...
I messed around with ez zest or whatever that stuff's called and if the toning or spots did not come off after afew seconds, I'd rinse it and dip it again... a few times later, you've got a coin with that stripped off luster look. It's especialy visible on coins that were circulated to begin with. I've learned a bit since then, but not much.

stman

1955 Mint sets usually come ugly. I can't recall the reason but how often do you see a very pretty 55 half? You have already taken the first step to ruin what might be an original set by taking them out of their holders. Go ahead and try and "fix" them and you will have ruined the originality completely. Great job!!!!

Too bad folks can't just buy coins they do like, instead of wanting to "fix" them.

Meltdown

<< <i>Please leave the coins alone , I would suggest you sell the set and get some shiney coins on the bay. It is tragic so many of these sets are being destroyed really it is in my opinion. >>



Buy some shiny coins... haha. I mentioned I am not going to mess with the coins earlier.
I bought the set because of the originality, and history. I'm just curious if something could be done.

Meltdown

<< <i>1955 Mint sets usually come ugly. I can't recall the reason but how often do you see a very pretty 55 half? You have already taken the first step to ruin what might be an original set by taking them out of their holders. Go ahead and try and "fix" them and you will ruined the originality completely. Great job!!!! >>


Tough crowd today. How about stfu if all you have to add to this thread is sarcasm?

stman

<< <i>

<< <i>1955 Mint sets usually come ugly. I can't recall the reason but how often do you see a very pretty 55 half? You have already taken the first step to ruin what might be an original set by taking them out of their holders. Go ahead and try and "fix" them and you will ruined the originality completely. Great job!!!! >>


Tough crowd today. How about stfu if all you have to add to this thread is sarcasm? >>



Another Internet tough guy. I was stating reality, can't stand it, oh well.

TheRaven

But you are thinking about it.....

One day those thought could turn you completely to the dark side and then you will have shiny widgets.....

Meltdown

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>1955 Mint sets usually come ugly. I can't recall the reason but how often do you see a very pretty 55 half? You have already taken the first step to ruin what might be an original set by taking them out of their holders. Go ahead and try and "fix" them and you will ruined the originality completely. Great job!!!! >>


Tough crowd today. How about stfu if all you have to add to this thread is sarcasm? >>



Another Internet tough guy. I was stating reality, can't stand it, oh well. >>



I'm not another internet tough guy. If you want to "state reality" you can do it a couple different ways. Yours seemed very rude, that's all.

lcoopie

I appreciate your pics, and the question asked,
I wouldn't take any of the comments personally,
I am sure they wouldn't be given face to face, if you know what I mean.

also,
in my 57 set, both the P and D have the same "rice paper" and cardboard to the naked eye.

19Lyds

<< <i>When I was younger and dumber...
I messed around with ez zest or whatever that stuff's called and if the toning or spots did not come off after afew seconds, I'd rinse it and dip it again... a few times later, you've got a coin with that stripped off luster look. It's especialy visible on coins that were circulated to begin with. I've learned a bit since then, but not much. >>



Perhaps the coins you selected for dipping should never have been dipped? ("It's especialy visible on coins that were circulated to begin with")

IMO, an obviously circulated coin should never be dipped and in that case, 1 dip is 1 dip too many.

BTW, I do like your set but those Denvers are something else! I wonder if that blackness isn't actually damage to the coins surface?

Sometimes, originality can be painfully ugly.

stman

<< <i>I wouldn't take any of the comments personally,
I am sure they wouldn't be given face to face, if you know what I mean. >>



You are correct, in person if someone told me to "stfu" I might tend to not be so nice in my response.

SamByrd

I actually misread the original post a bit, I am glad your not considering anything with these coins.

I also am sure your aware people are simply making comments as this is a forum based on ones own opinion.
Its all-right to ignore the smart asses here I sure do. I just try not to be one of them myself not always succeeding lol.

Nice set overall I think.

Meltdown

<< <i>

<< <i>I wouldn't take any of the comments personally,
I am sure they wouldn't be given face to face, if you know what I mean. >>



You are correct, in person if someone told me to "stfu" I might tend to not be so nice in my response. >>



OK, ok... no hard feelings. The coins will stay as is. Through the loop, they do not appear to have surface damage anything more than toning that may have been colorful to begin with turned black over time. The experiments with ez zest when I first started collecting were just that...experiments. I tried a few different things on a few cheap coins because I had heard that the process could be damaging.

TomB

It looks like a typical quality 1955 US Mint Set. The coins in these sets generally are not very pretty and tone in the deep blues and auburn shades more readily than most other years. If you dip these coins you will be left with bullion, most likely, since the toning is so deep.

Whitby

<< <i>

<< <i>Please leave the coins alone , I would suggest you sell the set and get some shiney coins on the bay. It is tragic so many of these sets are being destroyed really it is in my opinion. >>



Buy some shiny coins... haha. I mentioned I am not going to mess with the coins earlier.
I bought the set because of the originality, and history. I'm just curious if something could be done. >>



IMO, some folks might start seeking Mint Sets in their original holders. That is the way I like my proofs from 57,58 and 59.....Anyone else think so??

Black and crusty might just be premiums on these. They show originality.

PawPaul

in 1955/1956 there was a very hot heat wave across the U.S ; I believe the '55 mint sets were "cooked" in their warehouse before shipping

notwilight

I sold 4 or 5 of these original 1955 mint sets in the same 3 holders and original envelope on ebay a few months ago and was disappointed in the prices realized. There doen't seem to be as much appreciation for original coins out there as the posts here indicate. And yes, I did promote them on the BST forum. --Jerry

19Lyds

<< <i>I sold 4 or 5 of these original 1955 mint sets in the same 3 holders and original envelope on ebay a few months ago and was disappointed in the prices realized. There doen't seem to be as much appreciation for original coins out there as the posts here indicate. And yes, I did promote them on the BST forum. --Jerry >>



Thats because original is not always "beautiful". Toning can be affected by any number of different influences including the quality of the final rinse at the US Mint. How old and contaminated was the bath? First ones out probably looked good whereas the last ones out probably will look like crap!

Whitby

<< <i>

<< <i>I sold 4 or 5 of these original 1955 mint sets in the same 3 holders and original envelope on ebay a few months ago and was disappointed in the prices realized. There doen't seem to be as much appreciation for original coins out there as the posts here indicate. And yes, I did promote them on the BST forum. --Jerry >>



Thats because original is not always "beautiful". Toning can be affected by any number of different influences including the quality of the final rinse at the US Mint. How old and contaminated was the bath? First ones out probably looked good whereas the last ones out probably will look like crap! >>



I love the original look because lets face it, nobody is going to bake coin to fake...OH MY GOSH, never mind.

darktone

most 55 sets had light or not real attractive toning. The P mint coins from 55 to 58 in the original mint sets usually toned blue/pink. The 57 D and 58 D mint coins are the most colorful double mint set coins. In 57 a pink cover paper was used and 58 a green cover paper. I think the colorful toning of the D mints coins is due to something from the Denver mint.