Mint Sets, are many of them left

[wam98-migration]

Looking for an estimate as to how many of the mint sets of the 50's, 60's you think are still in original packaging, % guesses. Or do you think most have been opened to make date and mint mark sets. Thanks for you input.

[TomB]

I can't really give you a percentage estimate, but I will say that I think most of the known sets that have superb, individual coins in them have been broken up.

[TomB]

Let me qualify that by stating that I am only writing about the flat pack, cardboard double US Mint Sets.

[gmarguli]

For the flat pack sets (1947-1958), I would guess that at the very least 1/2 of them have been broken up. I would say that is also probably a very conservative guess. It wouldn't surprise me if the number were higher - close to 85%.

 

Of those that were broken up, many have been reconstructed with coins from rolls.

 

From those after that date, I would guess maybe 25% have been broken up.

[cladking]

It's highly dependent by date. The estimates so far are probably pretty good. SMS's are in the same area but the '67 has probably suffered a little less attrition. '68 and '69 sets have had very high attrition due to their low price, age, and because they are almost the sole source for the dimes and quarters of the date. The '70 set has been destroyed in large numbers to get the half dollar. I'd guess the attrition runs from a low of about 60% for the '67 to about 90% for the earliest issues.

 

Later sets have also been destroyed in large numbers and range from 20% to about 80%.

[coinpage-migration]

Judging from any one day on ebay, it looks like there's enough sets to keep anyone busy

 

1950's sets

 

1960's sets

[topsman]

There's a good amount on ebay, the blue and red pack, and the original enevlope, a few are only at $5.00 with only a few hours left.

 

Speaking of this I got a few unopened proff sets from 1963 and 1964. I know this is a dumb question to ask now... , but was I retarded in cracking open the orignial sealed package? Well actually I mean just the envelope, the coins are still all hooked together in the plastic.

[Hoot]

It has always made me wonder what the motivation is/was in keeping sets in sealed envelopes! This practice makes plastic (slab) collectors look downright wise. Congratulations on getting the coins out to see the light of day! Hope they were nice ones.

 

Hoot

[Bruceswar]

this brings me to believe like they do with cards... they will slab a whole pack unopened.... one day will they be slabbing unopened mint sets and proof sets?