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."

On 11/1/2023 at 6:03 PM, VKurtB said:

The lighting prevents me from seeing what I would want to in order to see a matte proof, but what I CAN SEE is some really nice inner rims that dive almost vertically down into the fields. I do think Flying Al might be drinking to excess if he thinks it’s a 58. There is no wear, only the typical slight weakness on the large O in ONE, which is because it is opposite the high point on Lincoln’s shoulder. For those with less experience, look at these O’s. This is the reason they’re less than sharp.

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. 

On 11/1/2023 at 4:52 PM, Mike Meenderink said:

This coin has NO circulation wear present at ALL.. the bow tie obv is as struck and the wheat stalks rev are perfect. Disagree with your assessment.

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. 

On 10/4/2023 at 1:52 PM, RWB said:

The question was what is the approximate value of the coins today, not the purchasing power of $37.94. The inflation or purchasing power calculation is of no value: nothing from 1882 has a modern equivalent - except in name only.

(A laborer at the Philadelphia Mint was paid about $1.75 per day. A machinist, about $2.75 per day. Laborers/workmen lived predominantly hand-to-mouth; trained employees did a little better. At 24 work days per month, the laborer took home $42.00 and the machinist $66.00. Thomas C. Acton, Assistant U.S. Treasurer in New York City was paid $8,000.00 per year or $667.00 per month. He was among the highest ranking Treasury officials.)

$827,220

On 7/26/2023 at 10:32 PM, GoldFinger1969 said:

I still don't get that.  HA has pages of descriptives on their 6 and 7-figure coins.  GC has 1-3 sentences. 

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. 

On 7/21/2023 at 11:53 AM, RWB said:

Awfully sparse lot description. The current bid seems high - at least to me.

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

On 7/2/2023 at 9:40 AM, RWB said:

Take good photos of the packaging so you (and others) have clear documentation on both packaging and the slabbed coins matching those in original cellophane. So-called "original" sets are abundant - sets that were actually kept together are unusual. (PCGS will not quibble about the eagle's leg.)

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. 

On 7/1/2023 at 10:33 PM, GoldFinger1969 said:

They're yours, or you have the chance to buy 'em ?

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). 

On 7/1/2023 at 10:01 PM, RWB said:

Check to see if there is PL in that area. If the planchets were "always polished" for proofs, then any un-struck or incompletely struck area might show residual polish.

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

On 7/1/2023 at 9:43 PM, RWB said:

All the sets were shipped in small boxes originally intended for medals. The size of box depended on the customer's order. Envelopes might have been used of one or two-coin orders, but I've never seen one. A box protected the coins - an envelope did not.

(RE: Half dollar. I should have said " left leg" not "breast." )

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?

On 7/1/2023 at 9:16 PM, RWB said:

Nice descriptions....photos not displaying in Firefox. Looked at it on PCGS board. Excellent preservation. What's on the rev of the half -- eagle's breast? The cellophane is 80+ years old. Keep in a cool, dry place with a sulfur trapping pad.

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). 
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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.
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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. 
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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. 
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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. 
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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. 
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On 3/7/2023 at 6:51 PM, RWB said:

Yeah, me too...and maybe some of those gold proofs!

Well, when you find them...

I want 'em all! 

On 3/7/2023 at 3:30 PM, RWB said:

Until the early 1950s, these could be purchased for a couple of dollars each.

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

On 3/6/2023 at 1:59 PM, RWB said:

Anyone want to guess the value in today's coin market?

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.