Opening proof sets 61 thru 64

coincop · July 11, 2003 2:52AM

I'm sitting here with a sealed 1963 proof set. The quarter is COVERED in little white spots on the obverse. The half has a few smaller spots. The reverses are still "clean". Is this some type of chemical reaction? Poor handling when packaged? Or just natural toning/spotting due to age?

Edited the title. Decided to open all 13 packages to see what was inside.

Russ · July 11, 2003 2:58AM

They're called milk spots and, unfortunately, they were rather common on sets up through 1964. They became less common with the SMS years (65 - 67) and were pretty much eliminated as a major issue by 1968. It's caused by improper rinsing of the planchets at the mint, and they generally aren't removable without damage to the surfaces.

Russ, NCNE

pontiacinf · July 11, 2003 3:01AM

they used warm water n ivory soap ta wash planchets back then...stopped in 68 when people complained about whitish spotting

coincop · July 11, 2003 3:06AM

Well that's too bad. This quarter has enough "milk" for a bowl of cereal. No wonder unopened sets from that period are so cheap.

Russ · July 11, 2003 3:16AM

Look anything like this?

That's an Accented Hair and they, even more than the regular variety, tend to be plagued by milk spots. They are also far more prone to hairlining.

Russ, NCNE

coincop · July 11, 2003 3:20AM

WORSE. There's no luster and absolutely NO cameo. If I was looking to submit coins for grading, PCGS would probably go buy a Coke with this one and send me two dimes and a nickel from their pocket change.

coincop · July 11, 2003 3:39AM

I'm steadily getting more disappointed. I just opened another 63 and the Frankie looks rusted. It's a light brown, "rust" color toning that's ALMOST uniform across the coin. The obverse toning covers all but the lower left area around "IN GOD WE". The reverse is nearly entirely covered in this "toning".

Russ · July 11, 2003 3:42AM

Pinhole in the celo and something leached inside over the years. Wait to be disappointed, though, until you've gone through a few thousand sets.

Russ, NCNE

sinin1 · July 11, 2003 3:45AM

Buying "unopened" proof sets and looking for that $5000 coin? Good luck - they sell envelopes on eBay and Yahoo with all years for those manila sets from 1955 to 1965.

I bought some, and when I got around to opening a 1955 "unopened" proof set, I found a 1965 SMS set - even forgot where it came from, but something tells me it was not original because Kennedy wasn't even president/assinated yet in 1955 and the mint did not make big year mistakes like that on all coins and the penny had a Memorial reverse..........

coincop · July 11, 2003 4:05AM

I actually bought these for the novelty of having "unopened" coins that old. Just something neat. Hadn't even heard of AH Kennedies when I bought them. But since these years are nearly worthless , I thought I'd go ahead and open them. Stand by for the finds!

coincop · July 11, 2003 5:21AM

Well there's a few toned nickels. One Frankie with a DEEP purple/blue toning beginning around the edge and on Accent Hair Kennedy (maybe) Pics sent to Russ for verification. Some nice red cents, one with green moldy looking stuff around Abe's head. Overall, I'm not looking at retiring anytime soon with these coins.

Edited for Russ' diagnosis.....NOT AH! It's transitional......Apparently more rare but essentially worthless. With the complete lack of luster, absolute frostlessness and enough milk spots to make ol' bessy jealous, I'll open the bids at $100.

Better luck next time I suppose.

Opening proof sets 61 thru 64

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