Best coin you got out of an unopened mint set / proof set / GSA ?

[yonico]

I like buying unopened proof sets (1954-1970), and mint sets (1963-1970) and look for nice cameos, toners and high grade coins. Sealed sets from these years I often find at no premium or very small premium, so even when I find no spectacular coins i can sell them and get my money back, sometimes even turn a small profit.

I've found many great coins, some toners, double dies, accented hair kennedy's and UCAM's.

 

Last week I came across an auction on eBay (by GreatToning) of a 1958 unopened double mint set. Even the mailing envelope was sealed shut, with a mailing date of may 11th, 1959 on it. I had to get it, and I paid a good premium on it. I was excited to open it - it was sealed for over 53 years - and I was more than happy with the results: A++ Denver board, good P board.

 

Just wondering if any of you guys buy those sealed GSA dollars (you can't even tell the date) or mint/proof sets, how much of a premium you willing to pay, do you open them or leave them unopened, and what was your greatest find out of one of these?? Pictures..?

 

Johnny

[mkman123]

Yonico, pls post pics of the 1958 mint set! There are many stories and hopefully some will share of their awesome pics from proof sets. I think their was a member ATS that got a 1961 or 1962 ddr franklin, I forget which is the "big one". Its a few thousand dollar coin right there!

[dimefreak]

Deltadimeman doesnt post here but I know he got the coins from his set graded and it brought it over $5K........ Somebody tell that guy to join over here already

[yonico]

I will.

The better coins I sent to NGC; the "modern" tier for coins dated 1955 and later is awesome. $14 and a 12-day turnaround time - you can't beat that.

By the way, just a month ago I started working on a complete 1958 mint set (so far bought a penny on eBay , and a dime here from coinman), so that set came right on time. I'm gnna have some dupes

[mkman123]

$14 is a great deal because you have a good chance to get a high grade grade if you screen carefully. I wish they made it $14 for other coins like morgans, etc ahah

[cpm9ball]

A few years ago, Scotsman Auction had several lots of unopened 50's proof sets. They were still in the shipping boxes with the postmarks clearly visible. I would have loved to win one of those, but they all hammered for much more than I could afford.

 

Chris

[James_OldeTowne]

A few years ago, Scotsman Auction had several lots of unopened 50's proof sets. They were still in the shipping boxes with the postmarks clearly visible. I would have loved to win one of those, but they all hammered for much more than I could afford.

I'm amazed at how often they come into the shop, too. About a month ago, we got wiped out, though, and now I only have a few left.

 

However, the auction coming up in July has some large lots of unopened sets.

 

I do screen every single allegedly "unopened" set and try to weed out the re-sealed ones. I've even encountered an occasional fake envelope!

 

I also very recently came across a pair of GSA dollars with fake certs, of all things.

[yonico]

$14 is a great deal because you have a good chance to get a high grade grade if you screen carefully. I wish they made it $14 for other coins like morgans, etc ahah

 

Economy is $16.. You can use that for Morgans..

 

BUT, it takes 30 business days (modern is 12), and value per coin mustn't exceed $300 (modern=no limit).

 

[yonico]

A few years ago, Scotsman Auction had several lots of unopened 50's proof sets. They were still in the shipping boxes with the postmarks clearly visible. I would have loved to win one of those, but they all hammered for much more than I could afford.

 

Chris

 

Proof sets are usually cheap.

In 2011, when silver was up high, I bought dozens of proof sets and was able to sell the ones I didn't wanna keep for the same price I paid, sometimes even more.

1959-1964 sealed proof sets I see on eBay all the time for $25-$35.

I was lucky enough to buy 2 1954 and 3 1955 proof sets in BOXES, sealed, at $5 below greysheet bid.

To find a sealed mint set like the one I just bought is not easy. And once they're opened, who knows if these are the original coins in there, or the good ones were swapped for lower quality coins.. I guess that's why the premium on it was so high..?