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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,739 |
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Valued Member
United States
170 Posts |
Hi everyone, What is the advantage of not opening the sealed envelopes? How do I know if the coins are proof or whatever? Thanks in advance for any help, and your time.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
I would open the sets to see what is in there. Why pass it on to the next person to email you back and tell you thanks for the doubled dies/error coins. That would be a no brainer to me. I would view them without opening the sets until I see what is sealed in them. One coin could just be that special one you want to find.
5 coin sets would be proof sets.
10 coin sets would be business strike coins (5 from each mint for these years)
Edited by coop
01/17/2012 6:52 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7629 Posts |
If the set is original, the coins inside are definitely proof. That's what the "PC" means - "Proof Coins"
There is every likelihood the sets are original sets, but could have been resealed. This happens frequently - so much so that I would be over half of the 'sealed' sets on the market are actually 'resealed'
Advantage to keeping them sealed - not much, but some people will pay a premium for them like that.
Advantage to opening them - there could be cameo coins inside worth a premium, there could be doubled dies inside that are worth a premium.
Disadvantage to opening them - the coins could have been stored improperly over the years and could be hazed over junk. If so, you've lost the cost of a proof set minus the value of the silver contained therein.
You will never know the answers to any of these questions for sure. If you want to open them, do it. It's not going to hurt anything and couldn't have cost very much.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
How could you not open them  I wouldn't be able to help myself  |
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Valued Member
 United States
170 Posts |
Well, I opened the coins.
3 actually have obvious doubling.
1 has a large die chip.
1 nickle is a beautiful gold color obv & rev.
both pennies have doubling and rotated rev.
still studying them, but wanted to let you know what
happened.
Your suggestions helped me decide. I do thank you guys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
883 Posts |
Weren't these originally shipped un-sealed?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
I think it's tough to find any truly unsearched Mint Sets or Proof sets from the 50-70's any longer, there are many ways of opening them and resealing them with very little evidence. People were looking for the Deep Cameo or any cameo coins, as they often bring a HUGE premium over a standard proof of the same date.
Back in the 50's the sets were shipped in individual coin mylar type bags and stacked in a small box about 3x3x2 inches, I think it was 1955 or 1956 when the flat packs began shipping and the box was abanded for what you have.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
'Curiousity killed the cat!'
Give it a go......open it!......she'll be right!
You are being tempted either way.
I was going to suggest that the envelope should be steamed open, but I think that is a no - no, even with cold steam from a nebuliser.
Perhaps very careful parting of the glue with a razor blade could be considered.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
You're a little late sel_691. The OP opened them a few posts back. We are all just waiting for pictures... |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
I was going to suggest that the envelope should be steamed open, but I think that is a no - no, even with cold steam from a nebuliser.
Perhaps very careful parting of the glue with a razor blade could be considered. Storing them for awhile in the freezer can also cause the adhesive to let go. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2757 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Unopened sets used to carry a huge premium, until  came on.  is the point of having an envelope with unknown contents? Like this nonsense of comic books that can never be enjoyed because they are entombed in plastic. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
Edited by coop
01/19/2012 5:37 pm
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,739 |
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Posted 01/17/2012 6:54 pm
