Want original?

Duane

I was at the local coin shop yesterday and ran across a very novel find. The local dealer has a little box about 2 x 2 inches across, and the top of the box was stamped “1955 United States Proof Coins” I purchased the box, as a full set of 1955 proof coins were inside the box and I was intrigued. The set includes the Cent, Nickel, Dime, Quarter and Half Dollar. According to the quick homework I did on Google, a Sol Taylor post indicated that proof sets issued early in 1955 came in a small, square box with each of the five coins (and he stated, and I found, each of the 5 coins are housed in a small cellophane bag stapled together at the top). This is exactly what I found. Also according to Taylor, by mid-year, the Philadelphia Mint had switched to a sealed, flat pack of cellophane with a small Mint seal and are known as "flat packs": and sell today for about $150 per set] --although he goes on to say that most of the boxed sets have been dismantled and the coins placed in other types of holders. Many flat packs have also been dismantled because the cellophane tends to crack and allow air to tarnish or spot the coins. This has not happened with the set I purchased, as the coins are wrapped in not only the “small cellophane bag stapled together at the top” but surrounded with a soft tissue paper that I presume was also used in the packing of the original set. The coins themselves are pristine, and must be PR68-PR69 or better for each (how can the NOT be!). The coins are not cameo, but have the coolest dies striations and most original surfaces I have EVER seen on any coins I’ve owned. For study purposes, this is a goldmine. Interestingly, as well, the Franklin reverse is very well struck (I can read the writing on the bell), but clearly doubled throughout almost all of the lettering on almost the entire reverse.

If I was a better photographer, I would certainly send photographs of my finding, and if someone does want to take a hand at this, or knows more about these sets them me (likely), please PM me and tell me what you may know. I’m sure some of you collect these sets, and this may be a terrific find. This is very cool, and aside from the original 1914 set, with packaging that was shown on the Registry recently, this is a pretty cool second, IMHO.

My first thought is to have the coins certified, Tru-viewed (for study and posterity purposes), and keep them together with the original packing as sell. But to break the coins from the original wrappers is not something I’m comfortable doing. This is pretty amazing, as I’ve never found this sort of originality, even at only 58 years!

Anyone have any interest?

Duane

Steve

Duane,
If your set is truly in pristine condition as you state, I believe you have a very super find. You see, I doubt very much that there exists today more than 10 of these sets IN THEIR ORIGINAL WRAPPING & BOX that are still in perfect original condition. I would recommend that you DO NOT attempt to have these coins slabbed. Instead, I would suggest you have everything photographed and then get the finest available protection to assure the coins do not deteriorate in the future. If this set is as you describe it, it is worth far more, in my opinion, as an original set than having the coins slabbed, even if they achieve a high grade. I have not heard of any current collectors who have such a box set in pristine condition today. That is why I believe they are very rare. If others know of many that exist in the hobby, please let us know. Thanks, and good luck with this Duane.
Steve

WaterSport

Duane: I am assuming you checked the Reverse of that Cent for a possible DDR???

WS

Duane

Bob, I did check the cent - no RDD -you got my last!!

I found out that the mintage for the 1955 proof sets was 378,200 (This mintage figure is the combination of the mintages of the 1955 Proof Set - Box and the 1955 Proof Set - Flat Pack.) The original issue price was $2.10! I don't know how many "box" proof sets were issued. Maybe modern proof experts David Lange or Rick Tomaska would have the exact figures. I read in David's Lange's modern proof book that the Box set were not made for too long, and he has one in his personal collection.

The most amazing thing to me is the coin surfaces. Many diagnostic lines showing on all coins, and a certain 'satin' sheen to the Lincoln, especially - nothing like the "brilliant" finish we are 'supposed' to see. And the Cent especially shows a certain surface 'clothe' look in the metal that I've never seen. The colors are all very natural as well, with very little toning (a little around the edges on the silver - none on the copper or nickel). But the Cent and Nickel have the most powerful circular convex die striations I've ever seen on middle year proofs.

I have to admit, I’m not a 'newer' proof specialist, but this set has quite an allure! Any of the middle proof experts feel free to submit opinions....

For anyone interested, send me a PM or preferably answer in this post, as this is a lucky find by me, but not my specialty (but could be a great education for all).

Duane

Duane

On the Franklin Half, I could only find reverse double dies from 1954, '58, '61 and '63 in the HA archives. No 1955. And this 1955 is heavily doubled on most on the reverse legends.

Very pronounced.....

Does anyone have access to Conaco (Sp?) information on this mint error?

FullStepJeffs

And check the nickel for a Tripled Die Reverse.

Sounds like a nice set... congrats.

Steve

Duane

Some doubling in "E PLURIBUS" and "CENTS". But I really do not know the series. That's it. But Monticello is full strike - great steps-all clearly seen fully across - I imagine that is typical for a proof?

lasvegasteddy

sounds like a sweet 55 boxster there...i advise getting an image of the halves reverse and if it's not machine doubling...off to ken potter it should go "www.coneca.com"

FullStepJeffs

For the nickel, look at the word AMERICA... the last part of the word "CA" should give you an answer... or page 73 of The Best of the Jefferson Nickel Doubled Die Varieties by Wexler and Ribar states:

Description: Class II, Distorted Hub Doubling
Although always referred to as a "tripled die," this variety is actually a quadrupled die. For distinct images, especially on the serifs, can be seen on all letters of UNITED, Strong tripling can be seen on STATES OF AMERICA, FIVE CENTS and, to a lesser extent, on UNUM, MONTICELLO and the right side of the building. Significant doubling can be seen on E PLURIBUS. All spreads are toward the center, increasing from left to right.
Die Markers:
Obverse: None Noted
Reverse: Several small die gouges (dots) on the vertical bar of F of OF; short, strong, slanted die gouge just left of lower portion of M of MONTICELLO.

Here's some pictures for comparison from my example:

From "unitED"



From "OF"



The last part of AmeriCA:



Hope this helps!

Steve

Duane

Thank you. Great descriptive information. But the Nickel looks entirely intact and whole in its precise press of the letters. No doubling or tripling for that matter. Sorry. But it is a nice Nickel.

Duane

"sounds like a sweet 55 boxster there...i advise getting an image of the halves reverse and if it's not machine doubling...off to ken potter it should go "www.coneca.com" "

Ted- Thanks. I did look closely at the reverse last night, and compared the mechanical doubling photos in the Stanton-Fivaz book, and have concluded that the reverse is a double die, and not mechanical, as the double die letter 'ridges' are deep, delineated and clear. Not ‘shadowy’ or just off the letters, as explained in the book. I will have it looked at but would like to know if any Franklin specialists have ever come across this?

Basically, I’m having fun with the project, but am really looking for someone who spends their time collecting these. I thank that they would have the most interest. I might put this line on the ‘big board’!

holeinone1972

those are neat, but not quite as rare as you would like to think.

On ebay opened sets with original stapled coins and wrappings go for about $100 - $125 and sealed sets go for about $140- $185

I have sold a few of these in the past, even a 1954 set boxed.

lasvegasteddy

<<<Ted- Thanks. I did look closely at the reverse last night, and compared the mechanical doubling photos in the Stanton-Fivaz book, and have concluded that the reverse is a double die, and not mechanical, as the double die letter 'ridges' are deep, delineated and clear. Not ‘shadowy’ or just off the letters, as explained in the book. I will have it looked at but would like to know if any Franklin specialists have ever come across this?>>>

coolness as it could be a discovery piece then

kinda strange to see you with boxsters that aren't of porsche breeding

Duane

I'm a collector, remember? A HR one day, and 1955 box the next

19Lyds

From CONECA's Web Site.



Box sets are definitely interesting but, truth be told, these are NOT the best method to store these coins. The staple holding the individual envelopes together often times rusts and the envelopes themselves often crack and break.

Duane

Thanks for all information - I will study the Half D reverse today. As the reverse die states are described by Coneca (thanks 19Lyds), this one seems differant from what I am reading about.

I will be more precise in my description later.

Holeinone1972 - congratulatins on 1972! Mine came in 2000......

As to the rarity of the boxed set, thank you - Truly, this is not the Holy Grail, but the set has a cool factor, I a would like to put a number on it in terms of how many actually do exist, and the reverse doubling on the Franklin really caught my eye

You are welcome to buy it and sell it on ebay as an opened box, if you would like, I just want to clarify the reverse doubling.

lasvegasteddy

<<<Holeinone1972 - congratulatins on 1972! Mine came in 2000......>>>

hey i fit in here somewhere as i won a plaque first time playing golf

comphibron7 naval golf tournament back in early 82'...."least valuable player"

lol...it was all you could drink "free beer" and a dinner afterwards...they had to carry up to the podium after shooting 181 strokes as i couldn't even stand i was so drunk

Duane

Are you sure you were playing golf?

Steve

<< <i>I was at the local coin shop yesterday and ran across a very novel find. The local dealer has a little box about 2 x 2 inches across, and the top of the box was stamped “1955 United States Proof Coins” I purchased the box, as a full set of 1955 proof coins were inside the box and I was intrigued. The set includes the Cent, Nickel, Dime, Quarter and Half Dollar. According to the quick homework I did on Google, a Sol Taylor post indicated that proof sets issued early in 1955 came in a small, square box with each of the five coins (and he stated, and I found, each of the 5 coins are housed in a small cellophane bag stapled together at the top). This is exactly what I found. Also according to Taylor, by mid-year, the Philadelphia Mint had switched to a sealed, flat pack of cellophane with a small Mint seal and are known as "flat packs": and sell today for about $150 per set] --although he goes on to say that most of the boxed sets have been dismantled and the coins placed in other types of holders. Many flat packs have also been dismantled because the cellophane tends to crack and allow air to tarnish or spot the coins. This has not happened with the set I purchased, as the coins are wrapped in not only the “small cellophane bag stapled together at the top” but surrounded with a soft tissue paper that I presume was also used in the packing of the original set. The coins themselves are pristine, and must be PR68-PR69 or better for each (how can the NOT be!). The coins are not cameo, but have the coolest dies striations and most original surfaces I have EVER seen on any coins I’ve owned. For study purposes, this is a goldmine. Interestingly, as well, the Franklin reverse is very well struck (I can read the writing on the bell), but clearly doubled throughout almost all of the lettering on almost the entire reverse.

If I was a better photographer, I would certainly send photographs of my finding, and if someone does want to take a hand at this, or knows more about these sets them me (likely), please PM me and tell me what you may know. I’m sure some of you collect these sets, and this may be a terrific find. This is very cool, and aside from the original 1914 set, with packaging that was shown on the Registry recently, this is a pretty cool second, IMHO.

My first thought is to have the coins certified, Tru-viewed (for study and posterity purposes), and keep them together with the original packing as sell. But to break the coins from the original wrappers is not something I’m comfortable doing. This is pretty amazing, as I’ve never found this sort of originality, even at only 58 years!

Anyone have any interest?

Duane >>



Duane,
I read your OP on this subject earlier this month and commented based on you saying "The coins themselves are pristine, and must be PR68-PR69 or better for each (how can that NOT be). The coins are not cameo, but have the coolest dies striations and most original surfaces I have EVER seen on any coins I've owned." So I assumed this boxed 1955 proof set has survived in ORIGINAL condition as it was when it left the US Mint 53 years ago. Somehow your description resulted in comments by others that this is not a "rare" set, just an ordinary 1955 boxed set worth $150. Maybe some of the individual coins in the set would be worth something if certified, but the set itself, as you described it, wasn't anything special. I sure would love to see pictures of this set if it truly is as you described it. There have been only 32 RED 1955 Lincoln's slabbed by PCGS with a current retail value of "only" $300, but as you described, the other four coins in similar grade would certainly be valuable. But my point was that the set itself would be even more valuable "as it is" if it could be maintained as you described.
This thread seems to have just faded away, which leads me to wonder what happened to your coins. I have never actually seen a complete wrapped box set like you described. I have heard descriptions about it over the years. My impression has been that any existing original sets would have tarnished and become coroded by now. Any comments? Thanks, Duane.
Steve

HdHunter

Steve & Duane:
I've actually owned the 1955 Proof set in original box. I purchased it in Stacks Auction in January 2007 (see below):

AUCTION: 1/16/2007 - 1/18/2007
The Americana Sale
SESSION: Lot 5001 to 6096
LOT #: Watch Item6088
ITEM: 1955 Proof Set in original box.
GRADE:
Description
1955 Proof Set in original box. Gem Brilliant Proof-65.
Exceptional quality and fresh undisturbed surfaces are the hallmarks of this set. The half dollar boasts plum toning. (Total: 5 pieces.)

STARTING BID: $80.00
PRICE REALIZED: $172.50

These coins were also individually wrapped in a small cellophane bag stapled together at the top, with tissue paper wrapped around entire contents. Granted I would not grade the entire set PR67 or PR68, there were some decent coins in the group. Unfortunately, there wasn't any real value placed in the set being in the original box, with the original tissue paper enclosed. I ended up selling it within a year through Heritage, and barely got my money back. I owned several others in original boxes, the dilemma is, do you keep it in original box, or have it certified through PCGS. The answer is there is very little demand for these sets either way, and although beautiful to look at, and of historical, if not numismatic value, they are not really that rare. You can see them auctioned off by Stacks at least twice a year.
Jonathan