Does anyone have a picture of a early 1950's box proof set (as opposed to a flat pack)?
dan1ecu
Posts: 1,573
I'm just wondering what one looks like.
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
0
Comments
I appreciate the link!
Dan
mcinnes@mailclerk.ecok.edu">dmcinnes@mailclerk.ecok.edu
FrederickCoinClub
The later versions eliminated the staples. No more rust, but the coins tend to develop a lavender toning.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>You coins look like they are in polyethelyne sleeves. >>
Which is what they switched to in mid-1954.
Russ, NCNE
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
<< <i>
<< <i>You coins look like they are in polyethelyne sleeves. >>
Which is what they switched to in mid-1954.
Russ, NCNE >>
Russ is correct. But the '55 sets came in cellophane / box sets & flat packs. I always found it interesting that these plastic sleeves were not used on any of the '55 sets. Only in '54 were they used.
<< <i>I always found it interesting that these plastic sleeves were not used on any of the '55 sets. >>
Actually, they were:
I've never seen a '55 boxed set where they weren't.
Edited to note: I just checked a '55 set and it's a combination of the new sleeve material and staples. So, while the mint didn't use the crackly stuff like prior to mid-1954, they did staple some of these.
Russ, NCNE
Sets from 1950 to mid way 1954 were in cellophane and stapled together. In mid 1954 and for all of the 1955 boxes the mint packaged the coins in the hazy plastic stuff and stapled the coins together. I believe that ALL box sets for the 1950 to 1955 era were stapled together. I've never seen an original set that was not.
The sets from 1936 to 1942 were a different story. At that time the mint sold that coins individually. You were not required to purchase sets. There I have seen those coins in the cellophane not stapled together.
BTW the cellophane did a much better job of preventing the coins from tarnishing. Over 90% of the plastic housed sets have dark ugly toning on the silver pieces. Yes, the cello is fragile, but if it is intact and the coins were stored in a reasonable place, they are usually pretty nice.
<< <i> Sets from 1950 to mid way 1954 were in cellophane and stapled together. In mid 1954 and for all of the 1955 boxes the mint packaged the coins in the hazy plastic stuff and stapled the coins together. >>
Hmmmmm - just goes to show ya we don't always know what we think we know. And yes that goes for me too. Here's a '55 Proof set in the cellophane. That's the only way I've ever seen them and I've looked at over a hundred. And the only book - at least that I know of - that was written on Mint & Proof sets states that the '55 came in cellophane & flat packs. It is also noted in the same book that '54 was the only year when the plastic sleeves were used. So I guess we can't believe what we read either as Russ sure has a picture of one.
<< <i>And the only book - at least that I know of - that was written on Mint & Proof sets states that the '55 came in cellophane & flat packs. It is also noted in the same book that '54 was the only year when the plastic sleeves were used. >>
Tomaska's book on 1950 to 1970 proof coinage says that the supple stuff, (plastic sleeves), was used through the 1955 sets until they switched to the flat pack.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>Wow! I've never seen a '55 set in the crispy stuff, and I've looked at a zillion of them, (it's my birth year). I wonder if the mint had some leftover packaging and produced some? >>
No idea Russ. Until I saw your pic I would have bet a lot that the '55 set was not issued in plastic. I've looked at so many sets because I collect the sets - regardless of year. I'm always looking to find a nicer example. The book I was referring to was United States Proof Sets & Mint Sets by Ron Guth & Bill Gale.
edit - So I guess both books are wrong
I think that might explain in part with the bids for the 1955 box sets have historically been lower than the flat packs. I also thing that really nice 1954 sets are a bit underrated. Many 1954 sets are subject to the tarnish problems that I covered earlier.