Busting coins out of a proof set
safari_dude
Posts: 114 ✭✭✭
I recently purchased two proof sets with NO S coins in them. The NO S coins, a dime and a nickel in 70 and 71 sets, both appear to be really nice coins, although the remaining coins in the sets are hazy, spotted, and have marks on them. Do/will TPG services remove the NO S coins if I send them in for grading, and if they do is it possible to retain the sets…(or possibly do a conservation on the hazy coins and return the NO S coins back into the sets after grading)? Trying to figure out my options as I’d prefer to keep the NO S coins looking nice before haze/spotting gets to them. Thanks for any tips or advice on this matter.
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How about some photos? 🧐
Nickel in the 71set…dime in the 70 set
i rec opening yourself
the top and bottom snap together. without much force at all, twist the lenses until one seam creeps up enough to pry with something not sharp, like a putty knife
hold it carefully and don't stab yourself with the pry tool. since these are going to be trashed, twist the crap out of that pry tool around all edges. don't scratch the coins with the pry tool. steady firm hands without over use of force from the hands forcing that tool around
Would the TPG service do this? I’d hate to screw the main coins up….
i'm unsure. they do crack ogp mint capsules (they literally crack them)
The other coins in the set aren't worth conserving unless they would get an extremely high grade, so as MsMorrisine mentioned, crack the set open yourself and send the No S coins in for grading. BTW, if you have haze on a modern proof coin, a brief soak in pure white ammonia will almost always remove the haze, but you might find scratches that you couldn't see under the haze.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Thanks! I have pure acetone…would that be better?
No, I've found ammonia removes haze better.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Random question, do you buy these sets for normal proof set prices or did you pay a premiums for the no-S's?
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$2,000 for both sets. I WISH I was lucky enough to find them. 😉
I spoke to a long-time dealer who buys and sells a lot of proof sets. He said he has never found a No-S proof set!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
I’ve looked at quite a few and never found one either….These were a little treat to myself….😉
I'm not sure why none of the so-called experts have not yet pointed out the obvious, but it looks to me like someone took advantage of you. It would be HIGHLY unusual for all of the coins in each of two sets, other than the special rare ones, to have developed a haze while the rare ones are pristine.
I therefore think there is a strong possibility your no-S proofs are polished uncirculated no-S uncircs. Did you buy them from a trusted source? Maybe have someone knowledgeable examine them in person before cracking them out, in case I am correct.
It's possible and it is a common scam. That was, in fact, the first thing I looked for when the pictures were posted. But the photos simply aren't good enough to decipher anything and I didn't want to crap on anyone's purchase without at least some evidence.
Easy way to find out - post some closeups of the two coins in question.
I personally use a knife to open Proof sets like this - put the blade between the two lenses and separate them. They shouldn’t snap and you should be able to reuse them after if you’re careful.
Coin Photographer.
The photo of the 1970 dime shows a coin that appears to be a proof.
The photo of the 1971 nickel is of such poor quality that I have no idea if it is a proof coin or not.
Yeah. And I don't know enough to poop on anything. I was just saying that I was surprised no one even raised the possibility. Especially given the hazing of 100% of the ordinary coins and 0% of the special ones.
People focused on removing the haze and on cracking out the coins, and no one even mentioned the possibility of a scam under the circumstances. Just surprised me.
I bought them from a coin dealer…..that has quite a few PCGS and NGC CAC coins. I looked many of them up and the certificate numbers match the true views as do the coins. I have several older proof sets that have haze on a few of the coins while some look pristine.
The coins are clearly legit. Having differently-hazed coins within the same proof set is actually not that unusual.
Thank you sir!
The 1970 dime has an obverse that looks Cameo. What does the reverse of the dime look like?
I’ll get a shot in the morning for you. Already down for the night….😉
The reverse appears to have a little bit of white hazy film on the rim…..
I do bust outs USM PF Sets all the time / some for slab mill some sell raw in 2x2 in collector coin browse boxes.
Your dime looks like it would possibly receive a Cameo designation, or maybe even a DCAM. Take a look at the Coin Facts listing for this coin.
Thanks. I’ll most likely send the nickel and dime in soon. Appreciate your comments!
Please post your results and keep us updated!! This story needs a conclusion...
I most certainly will!
Once I twisted a couple 1968-S proof sets. They cracked and I removed the half dollars I wanted. I did not notice until I got them back, that one of the halves developed a large and obvious hairline on the removal process. I have done it a few times with brown box IKES. I am not sure what I would do with a $1000 coin, maybe Dremel with cutting tool around outside edges?
Your coins look like proof to me, polished circs do not get that deep of mirrors.