FlyingAl

Disagree. However, I think the statement could be like this: "In order to maximize the potential value of your coin, you should get it professionally graded."

Kurt, there is a slight color change on the beard and cheekbone, highly indicative of wear. Again, angles will make this one appear far better than it is. Regardless, there is no chance at all it's a 68.

Excellent, please feel free to. I wonder if you hadn't gotten so lucky and won the coin, and then sent it in, and then received a grade of AU58, what you would have done? Disagreed with the TPG?

This thread is ridiculous. I sure hope Kurt is joking. The coin would likely grade out at AU58RB due to the wear on the obverse. The PCGS Price Guide does not list values for AU58s, as they are effecting worthless beyond a few dollars.

I went ahead and took the plunge at got the set graded - it was the best choice to preserve the coins themselves and their value, both monetary and historical. Here are the results, and I would post images but they're a pain to do here. You can visit my thread over at Collectors Universe if you wish to see them again. This is now, to my knowledge, the finest original set from the 1936-1942 era. Half - PCGS PR68 Quarter - PCGS PR67+ Dime - PCGS PR67+ Nickel - PCGS PR67 Cent - PCGS PR66RD

$827,220

In PR67 condition, the group of coins would be worth about $827,220. Google tells me the average cost of a honey bee is 52 cents, so this group of coins would bee worth about 1,590,807 bees.

They're letting the coins speak for themselves, which makes sense. They also don't have the staff like Heritage. We also don't need to get into the frequent errors HA auction descriptions have.

A four paragraph description from GC is practically unheard of. They usually let million dollar coins sell without a single word of description.

Definitely long overdue. Well deserved and congratulations!

I have the photos from the thread here (and PCGS), and I also have a video so we should be good there. My goal is to preserve the coins as best as possible, while still maintaining the original set.

I will remove the coins from the cello (removing the staples and letting the coins out the top of the sleeves) and send them to PCGS to be slabbed in series. I think that this is the best reason because: 1. The cello was never meant to be long term storage. The coins are in a questionable state of preservation, and it is unlikely how they will continue to fare in the years to come. 2. It will protect the coins for decades to come. 3. The set will still be together, with the original packaging. It will be instantly recognizable as an original set. 4. The coins will be able to be viewed and referenced on a consistent basis (as well as better images can be taken). If the coins remain in the cello, the research value could be lowered (since the coins will not be easily accessible). I was asked today a few questions about characteristics of the coins, and it was very difficult to answer with the coins in the cello. Removing them I think is the best way to study them. Downsides would be the following: 1. Loss of the true "original set" as it came from the mint. Even this is debatable as the set is missing its box @RWB - is there anything that you would suggest that I do before removing the coins research wise? Any research that needs to be done can still easily be done with the set removed from the cello in all reality.

They are mine. Sorry about the photos not showing guys, it must be a failed upload. Please use the PCGS forums link for photos (the post is identical).

It appears to be frosted in texture (same as the rest of the devices).

Looks like some minor planchet marks that didn't strike out all the way. Seems common on the Walkers of the era.

@RWB I was assuming this was a set that was shipped in an envelope (and the envelope was then discarded, hence no box. Does this seem valid to you?

Nothing on the eagle's breast. Just original color.

Here's the photos over at PCGS, not sure why they won't show for you guys. No issues here. https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/13528720#Comment_13528720

This time, it appears to be the real deal. This appears to be an original (Mint cellophane) 1942 Proof set. The coins are all high grade, and the set overall is matching. Here are images (this is the most challenge I've had imaging coins, ever). . . . . . After discussing with @CaptHenway, who has seen original sets before, it would appear that this set has all of the hallmarks of originality. The packaging matches what he and other associates remember seeing from early Proof sets that came straight from the Mint (or from those who bought them from the Mint). However, the appearance of two staples is interesting (one has tissue paper in it). The cello is rather stiff and crunchy, and has a texture at the base of each pouch that appears on each pre-1950 Proof set I've seen. However, I haven't seen it on post-1950 sets, which seem to have a lined texture or none at all. Perhaps I'm not looking hard enough at this though. Contrary to what I think most of us would believe, the cent is bright red and has no discoloration or spots. This would further my stance that most wildly toned pre-1950 Proof cents are NOT original, but rather album/holder tone, or artificial tone. I grade the cent PR64RD. The cent is a deep, blazing red and shows deep mirrors that flash under a lamp. Light hairlines are present in both the obverse and reverse fields, but no spots or discoloration are present. The deep red orange hues show at all angles, and truly shine with the flash of the mirrors. I grade the cent PR64RD. . . . . The nickel is also bright in appearance, and has no tone. A touch of contrast is present, but barely noticeable. Deep mirrors flash on both sides of the coin, and a light yellow touch appears throughout. I grade it PR67. . . . . The dime has an overall steely gray appearance, with the reverse graced with some deep red and purple spots. The overall look is pleasing, and the surfaces appear clean. I grade it PR67. . . . . The quarter has a light brown haze upon the surfaces, which fades to a steel gray flash when tilted into the light. The obverse and reverse have light orange, red and magenta rim tone spots. The mirrors flash through the toning easily, presenting a wonderful glare of color mixed with originality. I grade it PR67. . . . . The half is absolutely stunning. Deep blues, greens, and purples adorn the obverse, fading into a blazing flash as the mirrors turn a silvery grey in the center. The reverse shows a similar color, with a light deep red spot tucked into the reverse periphery. The surfaces show a deep silvery grey, and no disturbances hinder the deep, clear mirrors. I grade it PR67+ STAR. . .

Well, when you find them... I want 'em all!

I'd buy a 1885 proof set for a couple of dollars.

Depending on the grades of the coins, I'd guess several hundred thousand dollars to upwards of $1,000,000. I'd expect a good chunk of the value is in the proof Morgans, given that they'd likely be fairly high grade and wonderfully toned. My educated guess without really looking at guides will be $415,000, assuming an average grade of around 66 with a few CAMs and DCAMs mixed in.

Great half cent! It looks super original and the it appears to be evenly worn which I prefer to see.

Looking forward to the book! Please post links when it's available for purchase (though that is likely a ways out still).

I'm going to TTT this one more time for anyone interested. This was a huge undertaking, and literally every die that produced a cameo proof from 1936-1942 is cataloged, inventoried, marked, and described. This is a TON of research and information. IMPORTANT NOTE: If anyone would want to see this published, let me know and I can see if I can get it prepared for publishing. I'd want some strong support for it though.