Mint packaging overload

RYK · November 23, 2009 12:54AM

As a collector of modern bullion gold and silver coins, I feel like I am being inundated with mint packaging. The small blue boxes are okay, but the heavy packaging that comes with First Spouse coins, Proserity sets, UHRs, etc., is eating up a lot of space in the SDB. While I understand that, down the road, the coins might be more saleable with the packaging, I am fed up with the space that it takes up.

I am considering taking all of the coins out of the packaging and storing the packaging in the basement, while leaving the coins in the SDB. Has anyone here ever considered or done the same? I know that Perry Hall will soon come along and tell me that I am risking a break-in by publicly admitting to possibly storing the packaging in the basement...

On a related topic, I wish the Mint offered the option of not receiving the heavy packaging. It looks expensive and is a waste of resources, IMO. I would like the ability to have a $5 or $10 discount to just receive the coin and not the solid faux mahogany box line with Corinthian leather, etc.

airplanenut · November 23, 2009 12:59AM

I'll take the coins off your hands so you have room for the packaging.

Maybe you can sell the boxes on eBay. Be vague so people bid big thinking they're getting the coin, too, and you'll land a windfall.

ponderit · November 23, 2009 1:06AM

I separated the encasulated coins from the mint packaging years ago. SDB space is too valuable to store the packaging, IMO.
I've decided not to cut the rest of the little buggers out of their TPG slabs though

AUandAG · November 23, 2009 1:08AM

Yep, I agree. I've taken my coins out of the boxes and the boxes are on the closet shelf in bigger
boxes. Coins in safe or SDB.
Some coins have been sold off and now I just have the boxes. Got the coins graded and just forgot
about the packaging and now what to do?

bob

Classof67 · November 23, 2009 1:09AM

I feel your pain. I have been separating the packaging for years, and have four large boxes filled with it. It is a pain when it comes time to sell, as I recently did with a quantity of modern gold eagles and proof ASE's. The problem is I evidently have one box full that is not with the others. I'm hoping I put it in the garage, safely wrapped in plastic, or in one of the attics. At any rate, it will take several hours to locate

But yes, the packaging situation is frustrating, but I fear the mint will keep churning it out!

Swampboy · November 23, 2009 1:09AM

<< Has anyone here ever considered or done the same? >>

You bet!

I have a cardboard box in a closet labeld OGP. Not safe from fire or recycling crazed burglars but it works for me.

RYK · November 23, 2009 1:11AM

Thanks for the replies.

I just noticed that Longacre is here. I thought he was still in China. I fear that I am about to be chided for starting, not one, but two, threads regarding modern coins.

cladking · November 23, 2009 1:35AM

I remove almost all the packaging. I do usually keep them in capsules or cellophane
but insome cases even this will go in favor of rolls.

Be careful with the packaging though since it can deteriotate.

JBN · November 23, 2009 2:02AM

I have a big box in the basement filled with the empty mint packaging for various issues.

Some of the packaging is very nice - wooden boxes and all - it is tough for me to pitch perfectly good stuff.

I wonder how many people actually display these mint products in their full packaging.

291fifth · November 23, 2009 2:29AM

The best way to avoid the storage problems with the modern US Mint products is ...

... to not buy them in the first place or flip them so quickly that you hardly knew they were ever there.

Baley · November 23, 2009 2:40AM

I am considering taking all of the coins out of the packaging and storing the packaging in the basement, while leaving the coins in the SDB. Has anyone here ever considered or done the same?

Yes. My two Jefferson spouse coins and my one UHR coin are in their capsules in a flip in a double row box in the SDB.

The bulky boxes and papers are on a high storage shelf at home with such things as rolls of state quarters and presidential dollars, boxes of nickel rolls, coffee cans of pennies, bags of foreign coins, and miscellaneous albums of coins not worth putting in the valuable SDB space.

LindeDad · November 23, 2009 2:49AM

I have allmost filled the dead space under my bed keeps the extra shoes from getting lost under there.

KentuckyJ · November 23, 2009 3:36AM

I don't buy current mint products thus I don't have any of these terrible packaging woes and problems. You've somehow managed to convince me I'm not really missing out on anything. I had been a little worried about it but ...

lope208 · November 23, 2009 3:56AM

No OGP packaging in my SDB except a couple small things (i.e. the velvet case for the 3 piece Bald Eagle commem set).
Everything else is just capsules with the boxes stored at home in an old Mint shipping box.

cladking · November 23, 2009 4:04AM

<< I don't buy current mint products thus I don't have any of these terrible packaging woes and problems. You've somehow managed to convince me I'm not really missing out on anything. I had been a little worried about it but ...

>>

The mint has been putting coins in packaging at least since
they made the "king of Siam Proof Set".

The nice thing about packaging is if you ever get tired of it
then you can just throw it away. The big wholesalers are
said to fill up several dumpsters on a continuing basis. Just
a few proof sets can fill up a whole garbage can and you still
get to keep the coins.

Hyperion · November 23, 2009 4:05AM

Didn't this phenomenon help kill the Prestige sets?

Maybe it's just cyclical...

Coin Finder · November 23, 2009 4:15AM

What the heck...SDB ohhhh........ Safety Deposit Box....gotcha

Well Buy a safe and put it at home with the empty packaging inside. This will do two things, free up room at the bank and if you are robbed, they will get only packaging.

Swampboy · November 23, 2009 4:17AM

<< What the heck...SDB ohhhh........ Safety Deposit Box....gotcha

Well Buy a safe and put it at home with the empty packaging inside. This will do two things, free up room at the bank and if you are robbed, they will get only packaging. >>

Devilish. I like it.

jmski52 · November 23, 2009 4:32AM

If the Mint had a decent business plan, they would be selling industrial shelving to hold all of their packaging.

Bochiman · November 23, 2009 4:35AM

I pulled my SAE proofs, and a few other things, out of the packaging and leave that in my office closet. The coins sit in the SDB.
I also have the packaging from some of the first spouse issues when certain someone's bought the gold coins but didn't want the packaging

I also still have the UHR books (2 of them) unopened. I should really go to ebay and sell some of this crap.

cladking · November 23, 2009 6:21AM

<< If the Mint had a decent business plan, they would be selling industrial shelving to hold all of their packaging.

>>

Lol.

I think it was back in 1999 that one proof set customer recieved the proof set
pachaging except for the coins and shell. Instead there was just a sheet of
steel that had the same weight as a proof set. The coin papers suggested
it was an experiment related to shipping that was inadvertantly sent out but
maybe they were experimenting with a whole new business plan.

BECOKA · November 23, 2009 6:26AM

At least for the generic silver and gold proofs the mint authorized dealers have the option of buying bulk without the packaging at a discount.

I no longer have any modern bullion but when I did the packaging was quick to be tossed. As you noted it takes up a lot of space. For the most part I had it all slabbed and stored it that way. The re-sale value in a slab is usually the same or better than having the original packaging and takes up a considerablly less amount of space.

RYK · November 23, 2009 6:30AM

The re-sale value in a slab is usually the same or better than having the original packaging and takes up a considerablly less amount of space.

If that is the case, why do yahoos like Bochiman insist on trying to pawn that other crap off on buyers?

BECOKA · November 23, 2009 6:32AM

<< The re-sale value in a slab is usually the same or better than having the original packaging and takes up a considerablly less amount of space.

If that is the case, why do yahoos like Bochiman insist on trying to pawn that other crap off on buyers?

>>

There is an after market for the packaging alone, just does not seem to matter much when it's with the original contents.

For me trying to ship the packaging always added a big cost due to the weight and size of box needed. Can't really use a padded envelop or one of the hand flat rate priority VHS boxes.

Konahead · November 23, 2009 6:50AM

<< As a collector of modern bullion gold and silver coins, I feel like I am being inundated with mint packaging. The small blue boxes are okay, but the heavy packaging that comes with First Spouse coins, Proserity sets, UHRs, etc., is eating up a lot of space in the SDB. While I understand that, down the road, the coins might be more saleable with the packaging, I am fed up with the space that it takes up.

I am considering taking all of the coins out of the packaging and storing the packaging in the basement, while leaving the coins in the SDB. Has anyone here ever considered or done the same? I know that Perry Hall will soon come along and tell me that I am risking a break-in by publicly admitting to possibly storing the packaging in the basement...

Already there. All the coins are out and in the safe, boxes have been backed up and put in the attic with dry packs. Takes up ALOT LESS ROOM!

On a related topic, I wish the Mint offered the option of not receiving the heavy packaging. It looks expensive and is a waste of resources, IMO. I would like the ability to have a $5 or $10 discount to just receive the coin and not the solid faux mahogany box line with Corinthian leather, etc. >>

cladking · November 23, 2009 6:51AM

<< 

<< The re-sale value in a slab is usually the same or better than having the original packaging and takes up a considerablly less amount of space.

If that is the case, why do yahoos like Bochiman insist on trying to pawn that other crap off on buyers?

>>

There is an after market for the packaging alone, just does not seem to matter much when it's with the original contents.

For me trying to ship the packaging always added a big cost due to the weight and size of box needed. Can't really use a padded envelop or one of the hand flat rate priority VHS boxes. >>

I've always suspected there will be a premium for a lot of
the modern packaging in the long term. I believe that as fast
as the sets are being destroyed the packaging is going even
faster. While the sets are safe in a safety deposit box the
packaging gets ruined in a damp or flooded basement.

Of course this can't occur until after original sets acquire a
premium to the coins and they're at a discount now days.

Bochiman · November 23, 2009 7:35AM

<< The re-sale value in a slab is usually the same or better than having the original packaging and takes up a considerablly less amount of space.

If that is the case, why do yahoos like Bochiman insist on trying to pawn that other crap off on buyers?

>>

Well, I know I would be more likely to visit MY DOCTOR if they had the OGP laying around in their waiting rooms, instead of all the stale ol' magazines! I mean, how many times can one read the same Goofus and Gallant????

lcoopie · November 23, 2009 7:38AM

do it,
I did it too.

Kablemodem · November 23, 2009 9:36AM

<< Didn't this phenomenon help kill the Prestige sets?

Maybe it's just cyclical... >>

The current regular proof set is bigger than some of those prestige sets.

Planchet · November 23, 2009 9:58AM

I do not have this problem as I have nothing that came with Original Mint Packaging, (OMP). However, from an conservation point of view, I have a concern with the OMP and whether it is safe for long term coin storage. As far as I know the mint has not disclosed whether it's packaging is made from archival paper that is both acid and ligin free. Nor has it disclosed whether the glue used in the packaging is archival or like many glues, emits a gas that may or may not react with metal surfaces. Nor, to my knowledge, have they disclosed whether other parts of the packaging may also emit gas over time that react with coin surfaces.

Since the mint's coin capsule is not air tight, from a safety standpoint, I would not store any coin in the Original mint packaging. Keep the packaging so you have it when you sell any of the coins, just keep the capsules in an archival environment where they are safe.

Planchet

cladking · November 23, 2009 10:02AM

<< Although I do not have this problem as I have nothing that came with an OMP, from an conservation point of view, I have a concern with the OMP and whether it is safe for long term coin storage. As far as I know the mint has not disclosed whether it's packaging is made from archival paper that is both acid and ligin free. Nor has it disclosed whether the glue used in the packaging is archival or like many glues, emits a gas that may or may not react with metal surfaces. Nor have they disclosed whether other parts of the packaging may also emit gas over time that react with coin surfaces.

Since the coin capsule is not air tight, from a safety standpoint, I would not store any coin in the Original mint packaging. Keep the packaging so you have it when you sell any of the coins, just keep the capsules in an archival environment where they are safe.

>>

There's no question that the '68 to '81 mint set "cellophane" isn't suitable
for long term storage.

DieClash · November 23, 2009 10:17AM

<< 

<< Although I do not have this problem as I have nothing that came with an OMP, from an conservation point of view, I have a concern with the OMP and whether it is safe for long term coin storage. As far as I know the mint has not disclosed whether it's packaging is made from archival paper that is both acid and ligin free. Nor has it disclosed whether the glue used in the packaging is archival or like many glues, emits a gas that may or may not react with metal surfaces. Nor have they disclosed whether other parts of the packaging may also emit gas over time that react with coin surfaces.

Since the coin capsule is not air tight, from a safety standpoint, I would not store any coin in the Original mint packaging. Keep the packaging so you have it when you sell any of the coins, just keep the capsules in an archival environment where they are safe.

>>

There's no question that the '68 to '81 mint set "cellophane" isn't suitable
for long term storage. >>

Just Dip it!

DieClash · November 23, 2009 10:21AM

<< 

<< Didn't this phenomenon help kill the Prestige sets?

Maybe it's just cyclical... >>

The current regular proof set is bigger than some of those prestige sets. >>

Have you seen the prices on later Prestige Sets lately?

It seems to me that OGP adds as much if not more value than TPG packaging.

The American Legacy sets are the "next generation" Prestige sets. I try to buy the coin and not the plastic but sometimes the OGP adds value as does the TPG slab.

Anyone buy the Lincoln Coins and Chronicles set? Same coins could be had for much less, but are generating 16x issue value in the special packaging!

Don't underestimate the value of plastic, even though you should "buy the coin and not the plastic"

renman95 · November 23, 2009 10:49AM

Has anyone sold just the OGP?

levinll · November 24, 2009 12:47AM

Anyone have any packaging from proof gold coin/sets that they want to sell ?

notwilight · November 24, 2009 12:59AM

I put a cargotainer in the back yard for the Mint boxes. --Jerry

GritsMan · November 24, 2009 1:05AM

<< 

<< 

<< The re-sale value in a slab is usually the same or better than having the original packaging and takes up a considerablly less amount of space.

If that is the case, why do yahoos like Bochiman insist on trying to pawn that other crap off on buyers?

>>

There is an after market for the packaging alone, just does not seem to matter much when it's with the original contents.

For me trying to ship the packaging always added a big cost due to the weight and size of box needed. Can't really use a padded envelop or one of the hand flat rate priority VHS boxes. >>

I've always suspected there will be a premium for a lot of
the modern packaging in the long term. I believe that as fast
as the sets are being destroyed the packaging is going even
faster. While the sets are safe in a safety deposit box the
packaging gets ruined in a damp or flooded basement.

Of course this can't occur until after original sets acquire a
premium to the coins and they're at a discount now days. >>

I agree! All you have to do is watch Antiques Roadshow to realize that this packaging will become very valuable at some point. I personally find that the packaging adds hugely to my historical and aesthetic appreciation of the coins. Look at the GSA CCs. You take one of those out, read the accompanying literature, and just imagine the stories behind the coin. But yes, I also am forced to separate coin and packaging these days.

Mint packaging overload

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