CDN Mint Set Valuations

The values in the Greysheet assume OGP (original government packaging) for GSA dollars, Blue/Brown Ikes, Mint sets, and Proof sets. Examples that have been reholdered (e.g. Capital Plastics mint set holders) or broken out and slabbed (e.g. a NGC-graded GSA Morgan dollar NOT in its original GSA holder) should correctly be priced by their individual coin values.

As an example, a 1961 Mint Set has a Greysheet bid of $34.50. This assumes original government packaging (flat pack envelope) of average Mint Set coins (no ugly/gorgeous toning, no die varieties, etc.)

If the set consists instead of individual 1961-dated Uncirculated coins in a Capital holder, that would be valued on a per-coin basis, not with the Mint set pricing. You can still use the Greysheet pricing for mint sets if you'd like, but it relies on you to know the difference between a genuine US Mint Set and a Brand X plastic Mint Set holder filled with slider AU's and cleaned coins.

The earlier you go back, the less likely you are to realize an offer at a given Bid/Ask without it being an OGP set -- you might get away with it for 1961, but I doubt it would work for any 1949 and older sets, wherein OGP becomes more than just some plastic and paper and instead becomes a distinct value-added component of the total price.

It's buyer and dealer preference. I won't usually pay Grey bid/ask for non-OGP Proof or Mint sets; but attractively toned 1950s and earlier proof sets in non-OGP holders will almost always bring a premium vs. bid/ask. If a 1949 Proof Set came on the market with that kind of toning in non-OGP I'd shell out the megabucks, regardless of CDN. However, a random assemblage of 1949 Proof issues in a Brand X holder is, to me, a set of Proofs, not a Proof Set.

One thing to remember is that sets from this era were shipped in cardboard holders for the P, D, and S mints (for Mint Sets) and as loose coins, cellophane-wrapped, in cardboard boxes (Proof sets) before the cello flat packs became standard for both up until 1965 (SMS and the introduction of hard plastic holders which would be used for all SMS and later Proof sets.)

I perceive part of the value of a "Proof set" or "Mint set" as being a complete set of coins as packaged and delivered by the Mint. In other words, the value to me is in a "Proof Set", not merely a date set of Proof coins. CDN's approach seems to be that since OGP Proof Sets from 1954-earlier are quite scarce, that the price should reflect a market average for the individual component coins, and thus leave it up to the seller to ask a premium (for OGP/toning) or offer a discount (ugly spotting, milk, haze) as needed. This seems fair to me.

Bottom line is, if you see an attractively toned Proof set, regardless of OGP or not, or what kind of holder it's in, Greysheet is pretty much going to go out the window as far as price levels. If you think the dealer is asking an excessive price, check ebay sold listings for OGP 1954 and earlier Proof sets and then see if the toning is worth the premium over the average sale price of an 'average' OGP Proof Set. For instance, if a 1954 Proof Set in OGP sells for an average of (made up numbers) $320, Greysheet is $450, and the dealer is asking $420, if you think the attractive toning is worth the $100 premium over an average OGP set, then pull the trigger!

For the average collector, is the subscription cost of Greysheet and/or Bluesheet worth the cost?

Greysheet is handy but Bluesheet is almost entirely irrelevant unless you are doing sight-unseen bidding.

How does Greysheet compare to Numismedia? Which is a better or more accurate price guide? I hope I am asking the questions the right way.

The meaning of the greysheet has changed in the last year+ under new ownership.

The Bluesheet is dealer sight-unseen prices, i.e. what a dealer is posting on the exchanges that he will pay another dealer for the coin without seeing it. A generic price if you prefer.

Greysheet is the highest posted prices for dealer-to-dealer sight-seen coins, i.e. what a dealer will pay another dealer for the coin after seeing it.

Numismedia is retail prices, what you would pay at a coin shop.

Sales at venues like coin shows are typically a little over greysheet.

If they were in black cardboard holders they were NOT in the original government packaging. Neither the proof or mint sets of that era came in black holders. Proof sets of that era came withthe coins in individual cellophane bags stapled together in a gray cardboard box (In 1954 or 55 they started using polyethylene bags and in mid 1955 they switched to the "cellophane flat packs.) The mint sets did come in cardboard holders but they were a gray cardboard not black.