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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,458 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3479 Posts |
I'm curious if there is any monetary incentive in buying old pre1955 proof sets. How easy are they to open? Is it a safe assumption that most have already been picked through?
I need to buy more product for an upcoming show. I see these for sale but I'm questioning how easy they are to open and reseal.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
once opened they can't be resealed. Buying unopened boxes is like buying a lottery ticket, but you will get something for your money. Find a Franklin cameo and all is well.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Most all of them have been opened to pull out any rainbows or cameos , actually I don't believe any cameo proof coins existed back then . So Unless you attempt to buy these sets from an old time collector who bought the sets from the mint way back when the cost of a gallon of gas was $.20 ., and has since passed OR took an 80 year Hiatus, I would be very cautious .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
I have the '50-'55 proof sets in the original unopened boxes. Not sure that there's any monetary incentive in buying them. Could probably sell them for more than I paid, but rather have them as is, saving for a rainy day to open them. Hard to make a profit on them, they're pricy. Tough to open and reseal, but it's probably been done. When I do open them, will post youtube videos....stay tuned  Edited by edweather
02/13/2018 08:42 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7191 Posts |
I see no additional value to coins in a box unseen. buy the coin not the holder.
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Moderator
 United States
188342 Posts |
There is no way I could buy a sealed box and it remain sealed.  Then again, there is probably no way would I buy a sealed box anyway. Buy the coin, indeed. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
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There is no way I could buy a sealed box and it remain sealed. Well, I'm not normal. Was the only kid who would eat the Oreo cookie part first, and save the frosting for last.  Sorry to digress, didn't mean to take the thread sideways.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3479 Posts |
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Most all of them have been opened to pull out any rainbows or cameos , actually I don't believe any cameo proof coins existed back then . That's what I feared. I didn't do a very good job of wording my question. Heritage has some of these for sale coming up in an auction but the bids already exceed the listed value by PCGS. Also I noticed that Heritage didn't list them as unopened. https://coins.ha.com/itm/proof-sets...dLots-101116  Edited by MikeF
02/13/2018 10:33 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
The five crinkly cello packets these individual proof coins were originally in, inside the box, caused the proof coins to darken and blacken. The cello also often deteriorated and fell apart. Sometimes with very negative results. I believe they were stapled together at the top. Sometimes the staple gets rusty too which also causes problems.
I would not buy one unopened unless it was at a good price and only if I was going to then open it myself.
To keep it unopened does have that lottery scratch off ticket appeal I suppose.
I do think there were cameo coins found in the 1950 to 1955 boxed proof sets, since there are such cameo examples out there from those years.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Heritage is being a bit sneaky with those proof sets. They are probably opened, but "look" sealed. Went back into their archives, and if a set is original and sealed, they mention it. Now those mint sets on the other hand, they look nice. https://coins.ha.com/itm/mint-sets/...ction-120115 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
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The five crinkly cello packets these individual proof coins were originally in, inside the box, caused the proof coins to darken and blacken. The cello also often deteriorated and fell apart. Sometimes with very negative results. I believe they were stapled together at the top. Sometimes the staple gets rusty too which also causes problems.  IMHO buying a truly unopened PS from that era is just asking for coins you wouldn't buy if you could see them. You MIGHT get lucky and get some nice coins, but the odds are not in your favor.  Of course if you don't plan on opening it and are going to to try and flip it to someone else foolish (or wise, take your pick) enough to buy an unopened set, then go for it.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Cameo proofs certainly did exist back then - I have several from the major TPGs.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3479 Posts |
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The five crinkly cello packets these individual proof coins were originally in, inside the box, caused the proof coins to darken and blacken. I'm surprised that doesn't make Ed want to open and check his. We will be here with  if you do! Thanks for the feedback, gang. I don't understand why they got bid up to these levels. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
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I'm surprised that doesn't make Ed want to open and check his Not sure if I want to open them now, can probably find another fool to pay more than I did Edited by edweather
02/14/2018 4:56 pm
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CCF Advertiser
United States
1533 Posts |
I know a guy that carries sealed proof sets from 54-64 and sells them at a premium. I used to buy a few. The odds are against your pulling a decent cameo so I don't do it anymore. Especially since you can go through proof sets at shows and pick out nice cameos anyway. Most dealers don't play the split up and sell individual coins as its not worth the effort. I've gotten pretty nice cameos from opened sets at a small or no premium this way.
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Moderator
United States
188342 Posts |
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Not sure if I want to open them now, can probably find another fool to pay more than I did I do not doubt it.  |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,458 |
Posted 02/13/2018 08:30 am
