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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,322 |
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Valued Member
United States
136 Posts |
Hi all, Don't post often and am only a collector of pocket change and Mint sets. I have been on this forum almost a year I think but am still new at collecting, meaning I am not knowledgable about anything really; it's not my main hobby. But I learn facts or two as I go and here's my questions:
I was collecting Mint sets for my kids and now my granddaughter. However, I was missing just one set... the 2004 one and accidentally bid on a 10 piece set. I am gathering now, that's the P or D set and the S set is the one with 11 pieces? First, why are they even minting sets in Philly or Denver or why not the dollars in their sets? Second, people always say the dollars are not that collectible etc (sacs) but when included in the mint sets, would that be a lot more desirable compared to the P and D sets of 10 pieces? Just want to get my kids the better of the ones available.
Thanks for any opinions on this subject.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Hopefully you know the difference between Mint Sets and Proof Sets. The Mint Sets contain coins from the D and P mints. The Proof sets are the ones with the S mint.
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Valued Member
 United States
136 Posts |
Well they are all mints are they not? I know the S mint does the main stuff but don't the other mints put out the same sets (proofs as well as uncirculated ones)? Some are listing them that way (clas 11 piece Mint sets from Philly or Denver). I am still learning so apologies for the ignorance. My main collecting is autographs (ask me that and I'm there for ya). So guessing the San Fran ones are better to get then? Or is is strictly by supply demand/how many made. I'm Just asking because I've seen "proof" or clad sets from all three mints on ebay. I also just got a message back from the guy who I bid on the wrong set and now I am REALLY confused. Apparently there's a set (must be proof from San Fran) with 11 coins but that is the 5 quarters (state), the sac dollar, Kennedy half, nickel, dime and cent. But there's another set which he said his was that had two nickels in it but no dollar...... must be the Lewis and Clarke and Louisna purchase. So confusing which to get. |
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
All proof sets from 1968 to date are "S" mint only. Proof sets come in a hard plastic holder with an outer box. A complete 2004 Proof set contains a total of 11 coins. Uncirculated "Mint" sets come in a paper envelope, and generally contain all the regular-issue (non-proof) coins for the given year. A complete 2004 Mint set is supposed to contain 22 coins total, 11 each of "P" and "D".
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
There are proof sets and mint (uncirculated) sets. The proof sets are made in San Francisco, have an S mint mark, and contain one of each coin minted in that year. The proof coins have a mirror surface and frosted devices (like my avatar) and are made from specially polished dies. The mint produces a clad proof set and a silver proof set; the silver proof set is 90% silver for the quarters, dimes, half dollar, etc. The mint/uncirculated sets are made in Denver and Philadelphia and have D or no mint mark (some coins do have a P but I digress). A mint/uncirculated set consists of two complete sets of coins minted in a given year; one set from each mint. They are uncirculated coins struck with newer dies but are struck using the same process as is used for regular business strike coins. I have been buying a clad proof set and an uncirculated set every year from the US mint since 1999. I wish I had started with the silver proof set as they have really increased in value, but oh well. Ken |
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Valued Member
United States
136 Posts |
Thanks for the last two posts. That's exactly what I knew and wanted to confirm. Here's why I posted. I was needing the 2004 clad proof sets to complete my collection I started in 1999. I had been buying sets for the kids and missed a couple for some reason so I had to backtrack to get them. Well I had just the one set left and ordered (let me take the time to mention this about a seller on ebay) one. It sold a bit cheaper than the others but I see why. They guy said "2004 Mint Proof Set still in Mints brown box" as it's title. He had several hundred feedbacks, at 100% (nothing bad in a year). Obviously the ebay new system just hides tossers as the guy hadn't sold anything in over a year. I didn't think about that when I bid. The item was in brown box. He had all coin products (about 12 items) and what worried me was the description which said "uncirulated". So I emailed him and asked him what it was. He said he never opened it from the mint and it was the one I was after (proof set with 11 coins). But now I see he changed the description and it STILL is confusing! But never mind; he ripped me off anyway. Anyway, ebay confused me because some sellers are listing the P & D sets but saying there are 20 coins... or 22. Some said 10 coins in the S set. Some are saying they are uncirculated when they look clad. Others are selling empty boxes so I am wondering if others are taking coins and putting them into holders and that's why the discrepency. There appears either to be some people who do not know what they are selling, or people trying to deceive (or both). No wonder I don't like looking at coins on ebay! Anyway, turns out I got ripped off. I never got the item and the seller whose ID is Joey2Long2 (and I hope the moderators will let this stand as it's important others don't get ripped off). If I'd of gotten this information earlier, I could have thought more about bidding in the first place. But I thank the two late posters. I know sometimes, people think it's an ignorant question or something and won't respond. However, sometimes the newbie isn't stupid; just confused becasue of unscrupulous people. PS DON'T BID ON JOEY2LONG2 items! If you've been taken, let me know. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
I see two 2004 auctions completed (none active) for this seller: http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-Mint-Proof-Set_W0QQitemZ290289125939QQihZ019QQcategoryZ525QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem The above auction is for a clad proof set - San Francisco mint. In it you would find two hard cases - one containing the 5 State Quarters for that year and another containing the others - Sacagawea, Kennedy half, quarter, dime, whatever the nickels were for that year, etc. The price it sold for is a decent/fair price in my opinion. http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-Mint-Proof...ox_W0QQitemZ290289129170QQihZ019QQcategoryZ525QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem The above auction is for a clad uncirculated set - Denver and Philadelphia mints. I can't confirm that exactly because it's still in the box it came from the mint, but that's what it should be. It should contain two paper envelopes with various designs and say Denver or Philadelphia. Each envelope should have two cellophane holders of coins - State Quarters and the rest - just as above in the proof set. But one set from each mint, so twice as many coins as the proof set. I can see where the seller corrected the listing, saying this was an uncirculated mint set, not a proof set. It sold for a fair price in my opinion. If I had received a mint set when I had thought I was bidding on a proof set, I would tell the seller I wanted to return the item (at their expense) and/or switch the set for a proof set if they had one. If they refused, I would tell them to reconsider or I would file a Item not as Described dispute with PayPal (which would be won in this case - clear cut). I would only give them a negative feedback if they were difficult about it. I recently bought inexpensive coins from a different seller and was really unhappy with them as they were not the same coins as pictured. The seller was very nice about it, said she should have indicated that stock photos were used. She paid for return shipping and refunded my total purchase price including shipping. I would try to resolve if you feel you were ripped off. Ken |
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Valued Member
United States
136 Posts |
I don't feel I was ripped off. I was. The seller has not responded to one email at all, nor sent the item. In addition, he's ripped off every other person who bid on his items. One guy left POSITIVE feedback before he even got his item (people should NEVER do that). I've opened a Pay Pal dispute and an ebay dispute. I guess I can try contacting my credit card company. I'll never buy coins again on ebay. It's all too confusing the way people list stuff (especially if they are inexperienced collectors or are trying to get away with something). You can't tell the good from the bad because when I bought from this guy, he had 100% feedback. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
I looked at this guy's feedback and it looks like he has mostly been a buyer, not a seller. I agree with you that it looks bad - his recent sales have not gone well. When I said "if you feel if you were ripped off", I wasn't trying to imply that you weren't - more that if you feel that way, you should not worry too much about whether you should take action or not - i.e., if in doubt, don't hope for the best - file a dispute. Sorry if it didn't come across that way. I think you are taking the correct steps. I would be highly surprised if you don't win your PayPal dispute - they tend to favor the buyer and you have a long positive history on ebay. I would give that some time to work - if PayPal doesn't come out in your favor, then I would file a dispute with you Credit Card company. Sorry about your bad experience. Ken |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Never having participated in ebay myself for these reasons and the bother, trouble, need for P.O. boxes, and hassle seemingly involved, I still just shake my head when I see this ! Nonetheless, I'm still sorry to read about the terrible experience you've had here...... But I wanted to add/reiterate.....Dahoov said.....Quote:
Well they are all mints are they not? I would just reiterate what has already been explained perfectly. Most people use the term "Mint Set" ONLY when referring to the "Uncirculated Sets". You would NOT refer to a "Proof Set" as a "Mint Set" ever.And when the State Qtrs. are involved, you can have a 2004 State Qtr. Proof Set (that would only contain the 5 Proof qtrs. only made in San Fran.) and you could have a 2004 State Qtr. "Mint Set" (which would contain 5 uncirculated qtrs. from Philly and then Denver) Then there is the 2004 Silver Proof Set containing all of the years different coins in Proof. Then there is the 2004 "Mint Set" (Uncirculated) which contains all of the years different coins in Uncirculated.Just so you understand that all sets produced at the Mint are NOT called "Mint Sets". The difference in terminology needs to be understood when referring to these "Sets". If that's clear and the ebay seller wrongly titled his coins as you say/then changed it......yeah.......that's just confusing and NOT GOOD !..... Edited by eaglefoot
02/04/2009 1:51 pm
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Valued Member
United States
136 Posts |
Thanks for both replies; nothing you said was wrong Kenkat, I sounded bad in MY reply (sorry for that). I am just mad I was taken again. I think it's time to stop Ebaying.
As for Eaglefoot, I understand what you are saying and would agree it'd be nice if they'd all use "Proof set" and "mint Set" (for uncirculated); but my point was that in reading several descriptions from various sellers, they aren't doing that. That's the problem! It's also difficult for newbies when there are so many different styles of sets to get. (some have the quarters; others do not or some are silver and some have both P &D); and it doesn't help when some sell empty boxes and some are selling opened sets or things like that. There's so much to go through. So for now on, it might be better just to go to a coin shop! But from now on, I am buying direct from the mint online in their annual program as I am caught up except for this last set (I'll get that later on at a coin shop; no hurry!).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
Proof Sets are to be presses twice making them a nicer finished coin making them more collectible to allot of people and more valuable.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,322 |
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Posted 01/17/2009 5:48 pm
