Are those early 50's proof set boxes really unopened?

Comments

• Numismanic Posts: 2,582 ✭✭✭

  December 9, 2005 4:55AM

  Some are and some aren't. Without knowing who owned
  the sets in the past I usually assume that they have been
  repackaged.

  Don
  
  U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
  
  U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
  
  

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• Russ Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭

  December 9, 2005 4:56AM

  Some are unopened, some are repacks. The government sold off truckloads of unused proof set packaging materials and there are some less than scrupulous dealers, (I know that's a shock), that use these materials to bogus up "unopened" sets. It's less of a problem with the boxed sets than the flat packs, but it's still a problem nonetheless.
  
  Russ, NCNE

  eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC

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• GAT Posts: 3,146 ✭

  December 9, 2005 4:57AM

  Some are and some aren't, it's a roll of the dice on the Bay.

  USAF vet 1951-59

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• Russellhome Posts: 294

  December 9, 2005 5:11AM

  Ebay is full of repackaged flat pack proof sets. One tell is that the repro envelopes are a little too yellow -- and how many 40+ year old sets still have 4 crisp corners? Nearly all sealed/unopend sets on ebay are obviously repackaged.
  
  I bought a few flat pack proof sets recently that were listed as 'all original' -- but they came in a repro envelopes and included a poorly done photo-copied repro of the note from the mint. And the coins were full of carbon spots that the seller didn't mention. I was PO'd and contacted the seller -- he' d bought the sets and 'Sealed/Unopened' on ebay and was just trying to unload the crud that he bought. Not on me -- I sent it back.
  
  I have run accross sellers who aquire large collections from estates and their unopened sets appear to be legitimate. On one occation, I ordered a few items from a seller who was listing a ton of proof and mint sets from an estate collection he'd purchased. When I got them, they were obviously nicely kept originals - so I went back and bid on more. Not everyone on ebay selling these proof flat packs is a crook.

  -----
  KR

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• Conder101 Posts: 10,536 ✭

  December 9, 2005 11:33PM

  
  
  << <i>I bought a few flat pack proof sets recently that were listed as 'all original' -- but they came in a repro envelopes and included a poorly done photo-copied repro of the note from the mint. And the coins were full of carbon spots that the seller didn't mention. I was PO'd and contacted the seller -- he' d bought the sets and 'Sealed/Unopened' on ebay and was just trying to unload the crud that he bought. Not on me -- I sent it back. >>
  
  
  How could he have mentioned the carbon spots and maintained the fiction that they were unopened? You're lucky he let you return them. He sent you "unopened" sets. Did you return "unopened" sets to him, or sets that you had opened and examined?

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• 291fifth Posts: 24,710 ✭✭✭✭✭

  December 9, 2005 11:41PM

  Who knows considering the low ethical standards in the coin business.

  All glory is fleeting.

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• BillJones Posts: 34,850 ✭✭✭✭✭

  December 10, 2005 12:14AM

  I have two 1952 Proof sets that I am 99% sure have never been opened. Back in the 1980s I purchased a group of 5 1952 Proof sets that came in the original outside mail wrapper and boxes. Three of the sets had been opened and two were still sealed. Going by the coins that I have seen, I would say that there are no cameo Proofs in the unopened boxes. The coins I have seen were all struck with heavily polished dies, which resulted in bright luster, but no cameos.

  Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?

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