Early 1950s Proof Set Question

Tyrock

I have 2 early 1950s proof sets. They are a 1952 and 1953 in their original boxes. The boxes were opened years ago, but the coins are still in the original mint packaging. Would it be better to leave them as they are or for preservation purposes, should they be cut out of the plastic film and put into proof set holders? Some of the plastic packaging has some minor defects which will allow air to get in.

kiyote

<< <i>I have 2 early 1950s proof sets. They are a 1952 and 1953 in their original boxes. The boxes were opened years ago, but the coins are still in the original mint packaging. Would it be better to leave them as they are or for preservation purposes, should they be cut out of the plastic film and put into proof set holders? Some of the plastic packaging has some minor defects which will allow air to get in. >>



Leave them.. you can take them out any time. You can't put them back in. Well, maybe some people can but that's dishonest.

segoja

Leave them as is

SanctionII

Proof sets from the 1950s are some of my favorite coins to collect.

Boxed sets such as yours pose problems for the owner. One the one hand keeping the sets as they are means that they are totally "original". As time goes by there are fewer of these still around.

One train of thought is to keep them original and preserve them that way for future generations (people who feel this way would likely prefer the boxes unopened and the unopened boxes still sitting in the larger, again unopened, packing boxes that they were place in when the mint shipped the proof sets to the original purchaser ). Doing this would keep the proof sets completely original. However there is a downside to this. The downside is that these boxed sets are not very kind to the coins stored in them. The cellophane sleeves the 5 coins are placed in get brittle, split and allow the coins to move around and sometimes out of the sleeves. Thus they can get scratched. They also have glue on them that sometimes makes contact with the coins and damages the coins. Moving around in undamaged sleeves also can cause hairlines to the coins. Further these cello sleeves are stapled together. Sometimes the staple rusts or breaks and can scratch or otherwise damage the coins. Finally these cello sleeves are not air tight and can cause the coins within to develop ugly toning. Thus this packaging can cause the coins within to be damaged or can turn them ugly.

Another train of thought is that removing the coins from the original boxed set packaging and placing them into Capital style holders, Air Tites, or Cointains will save them from being damaged or from further damage/deterioration. This is true, but you sacrifice originality.

I have has some of these sets before and have developed my own rule to follow.

If the coins in the boxed sets are nothing special and run of the mill and are in sleeves that have not broken apart I leave them as is. I keep the set original and sell it because I do not want to own run of the mill sets. Let someone else who likes originality take the sets and own them.

If the coins in the boxed sets are something special (i.e. Cameo proofs, high grade, attractively toned and/or a valuable variety) I remove the coins from the government packaging and put them in Capital Holders or inert flips. I then try to assemble a complete set with these special coins.

My 2 cents.

morgandollar1878

If the wrappers for each coin are still good then leave them alone. If the coins start falling out of their individual wrappers then it will be time to repackage them, but do so to keep it similar to how they were to begin with so you keep them as close to their maximum value as possible.

Tyrock

Thank you for the answers. I'll look at them closely next time I go to my SDB and I'll evaluate them based on the answers given. They are definitely in cellophane with a staple holding them together. I have a 1950 proof set in a Capitol holder that was badly tarnished. I showed it around at the last Bay State Show and no one would make an offer so I knew that the tarnish was a serious problem. I sent the half to NCS for conservation and then it was graded by NGC as a Proof 64. So I made out okay with that one. It's cert # is 4266158-001. You can see the image on NGC.

keets

the problem with the early Sets is the packaging. the cello pouches have a tendency to dry out, become brittle, crack and pose a problem by scratching the coins. the staple tends to rust and often breaks: either way there is the probability of abrasive dust/matter getting into the pouches and scratching the coins. if you are really anal about "originality" you should probably keep them in the pouches. if you care about the long term care of the coins you should carefully remove the coins, blow them off with canned air and place them in a fresh Capital type holder.

I always choose the latter.

ricko

Sanction and keets have given the best advice for this situation...good luck...Cheers, RickO