1954 Proof set pliofilm issues **PHOTOS ADDED
Jonesey
Posts: 45
I got a good deal on a nice '54 Proof set in the original packaging and box the other day. The problem is on the pliofilm sleeves where the staple makes contact, it is badly discolored brown and deteriorating almost to the point of tearing. I am certain these are original sleeves, not like most of the ones you see that have been switched out to poly sleeves with a shiny new staple. Is this normal for the old box proof sets and should I open it up and get a capital holder? Will it lose any value having been switched out of its original state? I'm also curious as to what these coins look like outside of the sleeves, as they are discoloring also. The half and quarter have some nice frost even through the discolored sleeves. What would you do? Open, leave it original, or other? Thanks.
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners" - Charlton Heston
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Comments
Josh
Yup, on most original un-messed with 1954 & earlier proof sets, the staple is all brown/rusty/ugly. Also, the plastic sleeves are brittle, prone to break easily. In retrospect, it was not an ideal receptacle for proof coins. That being said, it's your call on what to do about the sleeves. By far the safest method of storing/preserving these beautiful coins in the long term, would be to put them in a capital plastic holder, or have them encapsulated by PCGS (or NGC, or ANACS). For best value, I would use PCGS. But, I would also save the original box & sleeves. After all, they are part of the set as issued by the mint.
nankraut.
<< <i>Sorry it took so long. Photobucket is working at glacial speed tonight. Photos added. Poor quality.........I was in a hurry.
those don't look bad at all, I have some box sets that are worse of than that!
i can't speak about the "shiny new staple" but sometime during 1954 the Mint did in fact use some PolyBags.