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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,743 |
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Valued Member
Canada
98 Posts |
Hi,
I am a Canadian coin collector, but I decided to start collecting USA coins as well. Today I picked up two "Uncirculated Coin Sets" from 2017. There is a red one for Denver and a blue one for Philidelphia. They each have 10 coins.
My question is, are these the exact same coins as circulation coins or are they a different kind of strike? I am not sure how they would be categorized.
Thanks :)
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1527 Posts |
I believe they are the same as a business strike, just that they've never hit proper circulation.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
743 Posts |
the uncirculated sets from 2005 through 2010 have what they call a satin finish
Tim Hughes
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Rest in Peace
United States
1559 Posts |
The mint set coins are business strike coins. The same coins the are minted for circulation. The mint pulls them to be used for sets deemed for the demand of collectors. Proof coins are completely different and the die's are made specifically for proofs and are highly detailed and polished and are struck at least twice and on occasion a third time. These coins are not struck for circulation. They are minted only to fill the demand of collectors. There are different proofs but that is not relevant to this thread.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2270 Posts |
Actually coins made for mint sets are the "mint's secret coins". They didn't admit it until 1997 but mint set coins are specially minted by special dies on special presses. Anyone watching the mint sets was already well aware of this but the mint had long maintained the fiction that these coins were BU coins just like the others the mint made.
Mint set coins are made on numismatic presses using new dies and higher tonnage. They are struck only once like circulation coins but are struck under higher pressure than even proof set coins. They are then washed and dried before being placed in mint sets. Most dies are almost indistinguishable from regular dies but on average they are better hubbed and better quality. Some receive some special treatment and PL coins are not rare in mint sets.
These niceties are not readily visible by looking at any individual specimen because any coin can be well struck by a new die but if you look at lots of coins you'll see it. I often say that finding Gems in rolls is almost impossible but finding them in mint sets is like shooting fish in a barrel.
Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
Edited by cladking
04/18/2018 4:57 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
CladKing - I've never heard that before, possibly because I don't collect post 1964 (except ASE). You've given me my "learned something new" item for the day  thank you ! |
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Valued Member
 Canada
98 Posts |
This is interesting. What I am concerned about is how these coins relate to the coins from the Canadian mint sets. In Canada, the coins from mint sets (until 2011 I think) were struck differently and maintain different categories (PL/proof like) in catalogs. I'm wondering if there is such a differentiation for US coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2270 Posts |
Quote:This is interesting. What I am concerned about is how these coins relate to the coins from the Canadian Mint sets. In Canada, the coins from mint sets (until 2011 I think) were struck differently and maintain different categories (PL/proof like) in catalogs. I'm wondering if there is such a differentiation for US coins. They are comparable to Canadian mint sets in most ways except Canadian mint sets are far higher quality. US circulation issues were just abysmal until the late-'90's because nobody cared about quality. Poor strikes from worn dies were the norm. Quality between world mints varied widely with Canada being among the best (Switzerland is best) and the US was among the worst. Today there is less variation and mint set quality has improved as well. Even though US mint sets have been special made since 1964 there are many very poorly made and chewed up coins in them. Now the poor packaging has caused many of these coins to tarnish. Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
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Valued Member
United States
180 Posts |
Lost my tuckus on the only Canadian Mint sets I ever bought,several sets from the 70's. The coins were housed in a pre-formed plastic tray that is lined with a "faux" velour coating. Apparently the coating is quite corrisive, I've got some beautiful Canadian proof coins on the obverse however the reverses are ate up.
Just a little buyer beware post.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
One thing I noticed about Canadian coins is they are getting harder and harder to find here in the USA. I go to coin shows all the time and seldom if ever see any Canadian coins at all. I didn't even know Canada made Uncirc sets.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5238 Posts |
Funny that a number of you speak highly of the Canadian mint sets. Personally I am not impressed by the quality of the coins in them in the last 15-20 years, to the extent that I really don't want to buy them. Looking at my mint sets, it seems that the quality went down sometime between 2005 and 2011. Considering they are being sold for 5 to 6 times face value, I expect better quality.
The proof coins on the other hand are of excellent quality, but with a price to match.
Mind you looking at my US mint sets from 1979-81, the Canadian ones are a lot better.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
For me and for me personally, I feel that both US and Canadian mint sets should be the exact finish as a business strike instead of some special type of finish such as satin or a PL finish. To me those are kinda like an entirely different coin. For some this may be a non issue, however, with Canadian coins, business strikes commend a large premium in comparison to their PL and Specimen counterparts. Just look in your Charlton or Haxby. The difference is night and day.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,743 |
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Posted 04/18/2018 4:13 pm
