Why are 1955 Proof in Flat packs priced higher than Box pack?

sparky64

I wonder what the percentage of Flat vs Box is.



Assuming all the coins are of equal quality, do the Flat packs really go for more?



Some 1950 to '55 Proofs sets coming up in an auction and I was curious.

fivecents

The 1955 box proof set coins can rip through the bottom of the plastic sleeves and knock around inside the box. The box proof set coins are a lot harder to examine than the flat packs.

Don't know if that has anything to do with the price differences.

Overdate

I recall the flat packs having a premium (sometimes slight) since at least the mid-1960s. They make it easier to view the whole set, they take up less space, and they match the later sets through 1964 which more collectors own than the earlier 1950-54 sets.

mannie gray

Originally posted by: Overdate

I recall the flat packs having a premium (sometimes slight) since at least the mid-1960s. They make it easier to view the whole set, they take up less space, and they match the later sets through 1964 which more collectors own than the earlier 1950-54 sets.

I think your reasoning is spot on.

oih82w8

Where is Leo Frese on this? I betcha he has a similar or more in depth response...not saying that the aforementioned responses are right/wrong, because I don't know.

keets

Assuming all the coins are of equal quality



perhaps the reasoning of Overdate is somehow figured into the equation, but if you look at enough 1955 Proof Sets in both box and flat-pack configurations you will understand the pricing better. the overall quality of the flat-pack sets is much better. I would also suggest that it is driven by the simple mechanics of Capitalism, supply and demand. I suppose that there were more flat-pack sets to begin with and time has taken a toll --- since the quality of those is better they are more apt to be broken apart. in a similar way, since the quality of the box sets is lower and further damage probable I suspect they often are placed in Capital Plastic type holders for display/sales.



all things considered, I believe the price difference is justified.

sparky64

Good answers. Thanks.



Every suggestion for the slightly higher price seems to make perfect sense.

BillJones

The coins in the 1955 box sets were housed in plastic sleeves that very frequently imparted a very unattractive layer of tarnish on the silver pieces. This tarnish did not dip well, and the coins in the set were often less attractive and lower quality no matter what you did to them. This problem started in mid 1954 when the mint changes from the celluloid sleeves to the plastic ones. For that reason I believe that nicely preserved 1954 Proof sets are somewhat underrated.

The flat packs have held up well. So long as the sets are stored in a dry, moderately temperate environment, avoiding openings in the pouches, the coins are preserved surprisingly well. Overall the flat pack is a reasonable decent and certainly very cost effective storage device.

nankraut

+1---what keets said.

291fifth

Another factor in the popularity of the flat packs is that many collectors of that era used Capital Plastics holders that were designed to display the flat packs, unopened. No such holder existed for the boxed pack coins.

sparky64

Here are what some Proof sets sold for if anyone cares (includes 10% buyers fee):



1950 box set. $550.

1951 box set - $467. Best set IMO. Nice color too.

1952 box set - $220.

1953 box set - $209.

1954 box set - $121.

1955 flat pack - $121.

georgiacop50

What Keets said!