A Question Concerning Mint/Proof Envelopes

Thanks for your input. I picked up a few mint and proof sets recently (older ones with envelopes) and got a pretty good idea of what condition I can realistically expect. Coming into it thinking I was going to have all mint sets with new looking envelopes was not going to happen. I'm just going to shoot for ones that are not dirty, torn or excessively wrinkled.

Perhaps I can throw another question or two out there. If I have a mint set that looks like it has pin holes in the plastic protective cover, should I find a better specimen? Also, on a few of the sets (2 mint, 1 proof, it looks like there is a tarnishing spot, forming. Do I look for another set, or does this not matter? I do understand they will inevitably tarnish over time...but it seems odd to have 6 other coins in the pack that are not, then there is that pencil head size brown mark, or dark mark out of nowhere.

It is possible to find 1955 - 1964 sets with good envelopes and problem free
coins. It is not a race .... Take your time and find the sets you like.

It will be much harder to find 1950 - 1955 (mid year) In the original box.

When I was buying a lot of commemorative dollars, I purchased
many of them from "coinsbybobby"

I didn't have any problems and prices were fair

I agree .. your top group seems to be in better shape.

And the bottom group have seen some action ..

Some collectors/dealers take better care of these sets
than others.

Thanks for the storage box tip. I was just wondering how I was going to manage that today. Is there suck thing as plastic sleeves or pouches to put the envelope sets in? I've received a few from vendors that had a plastic covering, but I have been unable to find any.

I have seen sets in ziplock bags ... But never thought I getting some.

It does sound like a good idea.

There is a chance they might have some correct size bags at
craft stores. Next time I am at one I will be looking.

Awesome find, thanks...I put my order in this morning. My wife is not taking to all my acquisitions sitting in piles on the bookshelf. This should alleviate the problem.

I ordered some of those bags, though I did not like them. The plastic was loose and seemed to get in the way when stacking these. I recently made an order on ebay, and one of the envelopes came wrapped in (what I thought to be) a really cool plastic envelope. The plastic was stiffer (more like the plastic electronics come in) and had a tape sealed opening. I ordered two different sizes to fit the larger mint envelopes from the late 70's/early 80's. I ended up asking the guy what he used and he referred me to this site: http://www.davescollectiblecoins.com/storage-bags/