Proof Half Dollars

It's really random. I've gone many boxes without finding one then I have found 30+ in one box. I think they are a fairly common occurrence. They carry an okay premium in pristine condition, but the problem is that once they get into circulation, they get really dinged up quickly. This is especially true due to their special proof properties- the tiniest ding or scratch is really easy to see. That said, most collectors don't want "impaired" proofs. They are fairly cheep to buy in high grade already. I have saved them up in the past and sold them as 10-20 different coin lots on eBay and have got $1-$1.50 or so for them.
 

I usually keep most of the ones I find. If the coins are in pathetic condition, I spend them. Recently found a 2014-S half that was the nicest proof half I've found in a box, and it had a nasty scratch on it. Kept it because it was my first 2014 half though. I haven't worried with selling the ones I find because I don't have time to sit and sit on them. I just keep the nicest of each date and dump the duplicates.
 

got this last night-- only keeper from 2 Loomis boxes IMG_1699.JPGIMG_1700.JPGRedbook value at $5 uncir. listed it on Ebay at $3.69
 

I once tried to trade proofs for silver. I'd pay melt for 40% halves (melt was >$40/toz) and I get 60 cents each for my proofs. No takers. I listed a batch on ebay and later Craigslist at ~75 cents each. No takers.
 

I was looking through 3+ rolls of proofs last night to see about making up another set of them, I have a book that has the proofs included that has 1 or 2 missing. 1 roll was 18 2009. I keep any of them in good condition even though I don't figure they are worth much more than 50 cents.
 

I'm just building a set for kicks, but they are definitely not valuable if they are at all impaired.
 

I find them rather frequently. I have sold a few but mostly I'm just trying to build a set. I will keep them lying around till I get enough for a roll or two and then release them to the wild.
 

I doubt you can sell them for much if anything, over face value. I keep them because I like the looks of them, otherwise I'd dump them. To me it is not worth the hassle of selling them.
 

Who is it that is opening proof sets and putting the proof coins in circulation ... in the quantity we seem to be finding them? Sure, the stories of unknowing kids and drug-addled thieves may account for a few but there must be other sources. The premium for proofs to the original buyer should be a deterrent to just putting the coins in circulation ( we know this goes on with NIFC halves, but the premium to the original buyer on those coins is low)

It doesn't seem like something that a LCS would do, even if they broke a set open to get at an extraordinary MS70 coin wouldn't they sell the remaining 'singles' for a premium?
 

gravityrules said:
Who is it that is opening proof sets and putting the proof coins in circulation ... in the quantity we seem to be finding them? Sure, the stories of unknowing kids and drug-addled thieves may account for a few but there must be other sources. The premium for proofs to the original buyer should be a deterrent to just putting the coins in circulation ( we know this goes on with NIFC halves, but the premium to the original buyer on those coins is low)

It doesn't seem like something that a LCS would do, even if they broke a set open to get at an extraordinary MS70 coin wouldn't they sell the remaining 'singles' for a premium?
Click to expand...

Of course sometimes kids and/or thieves will bust open proof sets. When they show up en masse, its usually from collectors that buy up proof sets in bulk hoping for just a couple of coins that will grade ms69+ and sell for a high premium. The rest often just get dumped.
 

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