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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,696 |
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
Hello,
I was talking to my coin dealer today about single proof coins for birth year frames and he told me that it is cheaper to buy and break up a proof set. He used the example of doughnuts (mmmmm doughnuts) anyway, he said it is cheaper to but a dozen than 12 individually, same with proof sets. What he didn't tell me and I didn't ask is how do you break a proof set apart without damaging the coins? Aren't proof sets sealed in the plastic cases?
Thanks,
Rich
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Pillar of the Community
United States
764 Posts |
the difficulty of opening proof sets varies depending on year. the cases the coins come in right now are very easy to open. I can usually do it with just my hands. if needed, a flathead screw driver or knife can help to separate the two plastic pieces. the sets from the late 70s-early 80s are difficult. I dont have an easy answer that wouldnt risk damaging the coins.
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Valued Member
United States
84 Posts |
I've used V-Grips in the corners and just crush it a little. Then pry it apart.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Snitchard
what your dealer didn't tell you is that if you want to collect the proof sets is that you will need to buy two of the years you want birth years sets of .
cheaper ? it depends on the years .
the sets from 64 back are cello wrapped sets and are easy to cut apart with scissors , the plastic encased ones are not that difficult ,I use a utility knife and just get it started on a corner and work it down one side and one end and then gently pull the covers apart .
work over a soft blanket or a soft place mat in case a coin falls .
what years are you needing for birth year sets ?
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Valued Member
United States
357 Posts |
 I would use my chop saw  with a 60 tooth blade. I would cut the edges off and it would open easily. But its not for the faint of heart. |
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Valued Member
 United States
420 Posts |
Hello, Quote:
cheaper? it depends on the years. I'm looking for 1979 and 1983 total for both Proof Sets is $18. I have each Proof set already but I'll buy a second of each and break them up for the birth year frames. Thanks, Rich |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
As noted you can open any plastic proof sets or slabbed coins by using a sort of find toothed blade on a saber saw or similar device. If you use a blade with to many teeth, metal cutters, the plastic will usually melt back together as you cut unless you move fast and that is not to smart. A fine toothed wood cutter blade is the best. Place the thing in a vice or something to hold it. Cut the edges off and it will open with no damage to the coins. I've been doing this for many, many years. I once heard a dremel will also work but you need one with a variable speed or again, the plastic will melt back together. As to purchasing proof coins separately. Naturally you will pay a lot more than buying the entire set. Example is you take you car to a junk yard and get maybe a hundred dollars for it. Now you go back and try to buy all the parts from your old car. You now pay thousands for all the parts. The sum of all the parts of a product almost always is greater than the whole. I once thought I'd build a solar light. I checked with a science supply for the parts. It would have cost me about $30 to build a light that sells at Walmart for $3. Yes all the parts were made in China too. Edited by just carl
10/26/2008 6:20 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
79+83 are a PITA to break apart no matter how you do it. Each coin has plastic welded around it. You have to hold the case steady and pry with a screwdriver.
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Valued Member
United States
164 Posts |
First off let me say - BREAK EM OPEN!
All I had to do was get a knife (pocket knife worked for me) and get it between the pieces and run it down the edge - I know nothing I am saying here is new but I still wanted to support you diong it none the less.
Go for it - and good luck!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
581 Posts |
Agreed about the '79. The SBA for that year is also in a sort of air-tite holder. I never did try to get that out as I could see no crevice or crack to work open. I guess they're well protected, but not impossible! |
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New Member
United States
34 Posts |
I'm still new here and new to coin collecting in general so I am curious...how many people actually break open the proof sets?
i orderd a proof and mint set to see which I prefer and my thought was to break it open and seal each coin in it's own case and be able to look at them individually but then I thought...no, I ain't supposed to do that. afterall, it decreases the value...at least that's what I read. but I ain't collecting for future investment, I'm collecting because I'm impressed how great the coins look. and after coming here, I see that it doens't matter what I do with a coin. I'm free to collect as I please.
but I just wanna know, do a lotta people break them open or do most people keep them closed? or should I not even bother to care what others do with the sets?
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Moderator
 United States
188213 Posts |
I have broken apart all of my proof sets and put the coins in Dansco albums. Many of them have been in the albums for over 15 years now and still look as good as they did in the OGP.
The OGP is not air tight, so whether your coins are kept as intact proof sets or in albums, how and where you store them is very important.
Edited by jbuck
10/28/2008 9:12 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I have broken apart all of my proof sets and put the coins in Dansco albums. Many of them have been in the albums for over 15 years now and still look as good as they did in the OGP.
The OGP is not air tight, so whether your coins are kept as intact proof sets or in albums, how and where you store them is very important.
Basically the same except I use Whitman Albums. All albums go into Zip Lock plastic bags. |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,696 |
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Posted 10/26/2008 11:13 am
