Is there a source where I can find estimated survival rates of classic proof coins?

coinkid855 · February 20, 2012 11:25AM

I just got an 1869 proof dime which I posted a few days ago. There were only 600 minted. Is there an estimated number that have survived? The pops at the grading companies seem high.....

Thanks!

-Paul

TomB · February 20, 2012 11:28AM

Does CoinFacts give estimated survivorship for proof coins?

rhedden · February 20, 2012 11:34AM

This kind of question is very hard to answer, and Pop. reports are of little use. I would guess the survival rate for most proof Seated coins is greater than 50%, and probably greater than 75%. I don't know about older issues- proof Bust coins are rare, period, so I would guess most were saved religiously.

RYK · February 20, 2012 11:35AM

<< Does CoinFacts give estimated survivorship for proof coins? >>

Yes!

crypto79 · February 20, 2012 11:36AM

Funny I was just talking about that with a couple of fellow collectors trying to estimate specific die pair survival rates. I have always heard and have seen anecdotal support for a give or take survival rate of 50% for identifiable proofs and 60+% for proof only productions that don't get confused with Cir coins. Seams about right when you take the pops into consideration for what their worth.

bidask · February 20, 2012 11:41AM

Estimated 60 coins in proof 65 or better.....

From COINFACTS

coinkid855 · February 20, 2012 11:49AM

<< Estimated 60 coins in proof 65 or better.....

From COINFACTS >>

Awesome, thanks! Mine is a 65.

Thanks for the info, guys! I didn't realize survival rates were estimated to be that high!

-Paul

Unknown · February 20, 2012 11:56AM

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Twinturbo · February 20, 2012 11:57AM

Theres 33 @ ANACS
Only 1 in 65 none higher.
2 in 64
7 in 63
10 in 62
2 in 61
6 in 60 ( I suspect these are net graded pieces)
4 are circulated.
1 in 58
2 in 55
1 in 50

Only 3% are 65 or above.
Assuming a survival rate of 50% at 300 pieces only 10 (give or take) would grade 65 or higher.

If someone could tell me how to access NGC and PCGS or even ICG pops I can combine them/ Compare them for you.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · February 20, 2012 3:42PM

Proof survival rates are fairly high. Remember that these coins were produced to be saved, so although many people mishandled them, I'd say the majority of the original mintage of most proof Seated material still exists (although much of it may remain buried in undiscovered collections or circulated beyond recognition as a proof).

291fifth · February 20, 2012 5:37PM

Survival rates for special US coins, such as proofs, are probably higher than most would suspect. Who knows what still lurks in the safe deposit boxes of the "old money" on the east coast?

Bayard1908 · February 21, 2012 4:57PM

<< It is a paradoxial situation, it feels like it should be rare but in essence practically all that were minted were saved and thus they aren't rare at all. >>

We have a very different perspective on what constitutes a rare coin. I'd argue than any unimpaired proof from the 19th century is a rare coin. Putting things in perspective, the total pre-World War I mintage for all U.S. proofs of every denomination combined, half cent through double eagle, is about the same as the mintage of the 1909S VDB.

coinman23885 · February 21, 2012 7:10PM

<< 

<< It is a paradoxial situation, it feels like it should be rare but in essence practically all that were minted were saved and thus they aren't rare at all. >>

We have a very different perspective on what constitutes a rare coin. I'd argue than any unimpaired proof from the 19th century is a rare coin. Putting things in perspective, the total pre-World War I mintage for all U.S. proofs of every denomination combined, half cent through double eagle, is about the same as the mintage of the 1909S VDB. >>

Which is one of the many reasons that I believe the latter is overrated.

roadrunner · February 22, 2012 3:26AM

<< We have a very different perspective on what constitutes a rare coin. I'd argue than any unimpaired proof from the 19th century is a rare coin. Putting things in perspective, the total pre-World War I mintage for all U.S. proofs of every denomination combined, half cent through double eagle, is about the same as the mintage of the 1909S VDB. >>

Likewise, the total market demand for all those pre-WW 1 proofs is probably on the same order of demand for 1909-s VDB cents.
On a scale of 1 to 100 representing the number of date/type collectors for each. The early proofs are a 1 and the 09-s vdb a 100.

I've always figured a survival rate of 19th century proofs to be 50-80%. It's more than enough to keep 99% of date and type set collectors happy.

Is there a source where I can find estimated survival rates of classic proof coins?

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