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 Replies: 9 / Views: 2,701 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
It seems that coins in specimen sets are rather nice and have almost proof-like luster, which is quite different from coins struck for circulation. So are these "specimen" coins actually categorized as being something other than either Proof or business strike? The reason why I ask is that I'm not sure how they would be listed in catalogs since they are not just BUs but they are not quite proofs either. Edited by Archraz
08/08/2008 7:20 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1931 Posts |
Hi Archraz,
In some books the specimen sets are listed separately as specimen and also in the more recent years they have a listing for specimen grade coins in with regular grades. In my charlton, for nickels say, it goes through the MS60'S then specimen grades, then proof grades.
When assigning a specimen grade in charlton, they say that grade is used for coins that have been removed from specimen sets.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3499 Posts |
malissadawn- Thanks for the info! I must admit that I just use the Krause Standard catalogs, which usually don't make such a distinction.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1931 Posts |
well, I dont mind sharing my books through photos, so if there is ever a page you need for specific sets or coins just let me know.
malissa
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1106 Posts |
Quote:
It seems that coins in specimen sets are rather nice and have almost proof-like luster, which is quite different from coins struck for circulation Just to be sure, what dates and packaging do you have. Current "Specimen" sets come in a leather book type packaging, and have brilliant devices and a lined linen finish in the fields. The coins you describe sound like the current uncirculated sets in the clear pliofilm packaging, or the Proof like sets made from the 1950's through the 1970's. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
chrycopaul- no the coins I am referring to are mainly coins that I have bought as BUs but just have mirror-like fields. They also look just like one set that I have from 1981 that has a greyish-silver box and inside are the coins in a separate tray next to a blue book-like holder for the coins. And there is a card with this box set that says "Specimen set." I have noticed that specimen set coins have fields and luster like proofs, but don't have the "frost" seen on actual proof sets.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1931 Posts |
I have one of those sets too. In the silver box, from 1986. I just sold it actually just haven't sent it out yet.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
malissadawn- well my box and the holder inside are in pretty rough shape. I was thinking about just tossing out the box and other holders and just keeping the coins in my binders in 2X2s. Would you agree that that might be a better way of keeping the set (since I do need that year in my set for nearly every denomination)?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1931 Posts |
well, I think that would be at your own discretion really. I usually only break up sets that I have if there happens to be something wrong with the packaging in some way. So if it were me then I probably would get rid of the box if it's not in great shape. Mine came with the coins in their own air-tites so the coins of course are still in perfect shape. I don't think you'd lose any value from doing it that way. In reality when I have compared values of sets and then the value each coin has individually it is always more valuable to have each coin separate (and easier to store that those big silver boxes, since you can stick it in a 2x2. I don't think it would harm you in any way to ditch the box.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
malissadawn- yeah, I might just do that. Thanks for the advice.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 2,701 |
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Posted 08/08/2008 7:46 pm
