To Proof Or Not To Proof. That Is The Question

No proofs in my albums.

All of my Dansco albums include proofs.

My Eisenhower dollar, Kennedy Half-Dollar, and Washington quarter albums are "with proof only" versions.

My Jefferson nickel and Roosevelt dime albums were originally non-proof, but I added blank pages to them for the proofs (that is, all of the proofs are together on one page).

My Lincoln Cent album was converted from the non-proof to "with proof only version" by replacing the last pages.

Did you mean to say "clad and silver proofs?"

I can understand the dilemma, but at least it only affects the last twenty years (1992 to date).

From 1968 to 1991 you just have the clad proofs, except for the few additional 40% silver issues (1976 quarters and half dollars, and 1971~1976 Eisenhower dollars).

For the benefit of others that may be reading, keep in mind that the Dansco proof album holes are "proof only" holes.

That is, they hold the S-mint coins that come in proof only. The exceptions being the previously mentioned 40% silver Eisenhower dollars (1971~1976), Kennedy half dollars (1976), and Washington quarters (1976).

There are no separate holes for the 1964 and earlier proofs (one hole for either the business strike or a proof). The exception being that the Kennedy album has additional holes for a 1964 proof and the 1965~1967 SMS coins.

Also be aware that for the 1968~1974 Lincoln Cents and 1968~1970 Jefferson nickels, there is only one S-mint hole to hold either the business strike or proof from that year.

That is correct, from 1992 to date there are at least two proof holes; one silver, one clad. Of course, The number holes per year gets crazy for the Quarter in 1999.

If you do go for the proofs, I highly recommend that consider buying proof sets and breaking them apart.

If you do not collect all series, you can sell the unwanted coins individually. The net gain is getting the coins you need for a lot cheaper than they would be individually. The proof sets are always less than the total of the individual coins.

The down side is that even if you do collect all series, you will have an extra cent, nickel, and dollar coins from having to buy the clad and silver proof sets for each year.

Ultimately you will have to decide if the money saved is worth the time dealing with the extra coins. Shop around.

The only album I am not doing proofs at the moment is my pre 99 quarter book. That one I am doing circulated so that I could afford to get the 32 D&S at reasonable prices. Once I finish it, I will be starting the proof album.

I carefully push my proofs in with cotton gloves on and have had no issues. You just gotta be careful.

I like the Lincoln proofs. I'm back to 55 (gets tough fast past that doesn't it?) I'm a self-seal 2x2 in a binder kinda guy. Makes it easy to do whatever