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1950 proof sets - how many would constitute a "Hoard"?
SanctionII
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Total mintage of about 50,000 for 1950. Do not know how many still exist [80-90%?].
So how many 1950 sets would constitute a hoard?
So how many 1950 sets would constitute a hoard?
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U.S. Type Set
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While 50 is the min to start a well manage promotion
The name is LEE!
Edward
He who knows he has enough is rich.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
How about the same question except replace 1950 proof sets with one of the following:
1. 1950 proof cents [all DCAM, all CAM or all Brilliant];
2. 1950 proof nickels [all DCAM, all CAM or all Brilliant];
3. 1950 proof dimes [all DCAM, all CAM or all Brilliant];
4. 1950 proof quarters [all DCAM, all CAM or all Brilliant]; and
5. 1950 proof half dollars [all DCAM, all CAM or all Brilliant].
How many of these individual coins would constitute a hoard?
My view is that for singles, a hoard of DCAM's requires less coins than a hoard of CAM's; and that a hoard of CAMS requires less coins than a hoard of Brilliant coins.
Knowledge is the enemy of fear
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
<< <i>25 would be a hoard to me. >>
Yes, 25 would seem like a hoard to me, especially since the order limit that year was five sets per shipment.
I have chuckle when I read all of these comments about Cams and D-Cams. Overall the 1950 Proof sets were very poorly made with many dull, Matte-like finish on the silver pieces. This prompted some collectors to dip the silver, which usually made the situation worse. Cams and D-Cams are really a separate issue from the coins that are in most 1950 Proof sets. Finding a set that has not been dipped with reasonable eye appeal is a reasonable goal unless you prepared to spend thousands of dollars on the half dollar and just a bit less on each of the other coins.
I bought this set many years ago. The story was that a collector in 1950 bought five sets and then assembled a set from the best coins in the lot. He saved them for his kid(s) who sold them. For a 1950 Proof set without cameos, this is about as good as it gets.
Your 1950 proof set is gorgeous. The silver coins have similar toning that it very attractive. All of the coins look original and of high quality. Would all of the coins be considered gem or better? Or are there unseen hairlines or other blemishes that preclude a gem grade?
A couple of years ago I was able to purchase two 1950 proof sets in original OGP that had been carefully stored and maintained. The ten coins in the two sets are similar in quality to your pictured set. The two half dollars are satin in appearance instead of brilliant. They are both untoned with very light haze, are very attractive and would likely be graded 65. The two quarters are possible Cameos. The devices on both sides are fully frosted up. The fields are very clean but are not the deep mirror variety noted in Tomaska's 1991 book. Instead they look like the non deep mirrored example pictured in his book. They are untoned. They would grade 65 or better. The two dimes are brilliant with light rim toning and may grade 65. The two nickels are very attractive. They have fully frosted devices on both sides. The fields are not brilliant. The fields have a satin look to them. The nickels are lightly toned with the center part of the coin being a light golden color changing towards a silvery/grey color as you progress towards the rims. The uniformity of the appearance of the frosted devices and satin fields is very eye appealing. They would likely grade 65 or better. The two cents are a bright fiery red/orange with no carbon spots or other defects. They would grade 65 or better. I have noted only minimal hairlines on the obverse fields of the half dollars. The other coins do not appear to have any hairlines. These are two of my favorite non cameo proof sets and I was very lucky to be able to purchase them.
A really nice 1950 Proof set is not that easy to find. As I said before the cameo coins are whole separate market.
<< <i>Total mintage of about 50,000 for 1950. Do not know how many still exist [80-90%?].
So how many 1950 sets would constitute a hoard? >>
I'd guess there are fewer than 30,000 of any of these coins from the set in a non-degraded condition. Most of
the missing coins are utterly destroyed for practical purposes. Fewer than 10% of the surviving sets are in ori-
ginal condition in the boxes. I'd say five or ten would constitute a small hoard.
I don't believe that there are going to be substantial numbers of these ever coming on the market. Attrition con-
tinues to affect even those coins that aren't available. They are lost in fires and floods but as fewer are around
it just takes more fires and floods to get one. The percentage lost doesn't drop to very low levels until they're
all well protected because the owners know they are valuable but even then safety deposit boxes flood and
coin shops burn.
When was the last time you saw anyone come into a coin shop with something like an original 1950 proof set he
purchased from the mint?
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.