Mass proof/mint sets. What do you do with them?

CommemKing

I appraised a coin collection for a friend this week and unfortunately it was just about every proof and mint set since 1973 thru 2011 with many duplicates all in original packaging. I gave the collection a value opinion but how can this guy get rid of such a large, uninteresting, collection? It's worth about $1,800. I just don't know if there is a market for it. I was thinking a coin auction selling it as one lot. I just don't know. Please help this poor guy

jdimmick

I used to wholesale these out when I bought collections, but even the wholesalers any more just don't want em. Try local flea market vendors



Buy cheap is all I say

Rampage

At $1,800, there had better be a few hundred proof sets in the lot.

CommemKing

There are. Close to 5 of everything. There are some prestige proof sets and bu mint rolls of 50c too.

koynekwest

What to do with them? One thing for sure-check 'em for varieties.

cladking

I believe Arizona Coin and Jewel is still paying a big premium to bid on many of the mint sets. These things don't always last long though.

CommemKing

Any more advice?

Broadstruck

Stocking Stuffers at Xmas

ricko

That is what, in other circles, may be called a 'White Elephant'....of course, there could

be varieties or errors in there.... otherwise, will be tough to move...Cheers, RickO

CommemKing

I'm glad they aren't mine. My client isn't to happy in his father's investment. Kinda sad. They need they money so he can be moved into a nursing home. I don't think this stash is going to help much.

On another note, I don't get why people buy this stuff from the mint at a premium. Its basically pocket change in a pretty package. Damn the mint!

cladking

Originally posted by: CommemKing

I'm glad they aren't mine. My client isn't to happy in his father's investment. Kinda sad. They need they money so he can be moved into a nursing home. I don't think this stash is going to help much.



On another note, I don't get why people buy this stuff from the mint at a premium. Its basically pocket change in a pretty package. Damn the mint!

If they weren't so despicable they would have simply quit making pretty pocket change in 1965 or at the very least discouraged people from buying the junk.



...Or maybe it's just a question of perspective. Maybe if so many people weren't buying junk they didn't enjoy then the mintages would be low enough that the prices wouldn't drop during a recession.

mariner67

"Damn the mint!"

Yeah, it is the mint's fault!

bestday

Originally posted by: CommemKing
There are. Close to 5 of everything. There are some prestige proof sets and bu mint rolls of 50c too.

.. most sets in that era aren't worth much..At a local coin show . collector offered 60 proof sets.. was insulted when I quoted prices for sets at $2 . $3 ..$4..$5 ..$6 for some Proof set years ..Silver sets a different game

LindeDad

eBay is how I got rid of mine. But don't plan on it happening overnight, several years probably.

oih82w8

Sounds like a break 'em up and sell 'em cheap at a coin show grab bag kinda deal.



Put them in 2 x 2 holders, place them into a container (where they are not visible) and sell a "pick for a buck" a piece.



We did this at a local coin show and it went over really well.

TopographicOceans

Try selling them on eBay as a complete run from 1971-2011 with a BIN OBO and then repeat it

The nice people on eBay only want to pay a little over face value though, unless they are silver sets.

You can sell them individually as well, but if you look on eBay, proof sets are a dime a dozen.

On the 1971 & 1972 sets, check the Kennedys. If you have any 69 DCAM's they are worth sending in to PCGS.

guitarwes

I hate appraising collections like this and having to break the bad news to the family that grandpa's accumulation is only worth a multiple or tow over face value.



I bought a similar collection in 2012 from the son of an older gentleman who went on huge late night buying binges from HSN and Coin Vault. The son gave me all of the receipts with the collection and it pained me badly to look at the thousands of dollars instantly turned to hundreds of dollars.

joeykoins

Originally posted by: ricko
That is what, in other circles, may be called a 'White Elephant'....of course, there could
be varieties or errors in there.... otherwise, will be tough to move...Cheers, RickO

Yeah, just as Ricko stated, Your best option to make some real cash is to check closely for errors/varieties. Who knows, one good pick or two, can make a world of difference? Good Luck.

mustangmanbob

I released a few $1 coins to the wild today, spent them. Had them for 10+ years, no interest, so away they went.

shorecoll

I sold my silver ones when silver got back near $50...the others are in a big box, waiting for Godot!

joeykoins

The real disappointed proof sets are the "green sets". The 1994-1998 sets! These were so, so overblown with hype at one time. They were the money sets as they were saying, and at one point they were. Now, they are common as common can be. Oh well, that's the coin business for ya.

mustangmanbob

At least on ebay, there is volume. for example, the 1996 green set, lowest price, excluding "FREE SHIPPING" types, was $2 for a set, A lot of activity in the $6 range, with over 600 sales.

BillJones

If the boxes are in good shape and the COAs are intact, this is not as much of a white elephant. The coins have to be nice without toning also. At lot of these sets are in scuffed up boxes, and many of the coins, especially for certain years have "gone bad."

The buy price used to be 15 to 20 percent off of Gray Sheet bid. If you take tables at the small shows, you might get the bid price for them from collectors.