Is it worth breaking open Mint sets?

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  • creme_brule
    • Apr 2026

    #1

    Is it worth breaking open Mint sets?

    I have a couple Mint sets laying around, and was wondering if I should break them open. One is a 1969, and found RPMs on both the "D" and "S" lincolns . Or, should I leave them together and let it sit as a "collectors" item?

    Thanks!
  • Chugly
    Member
    • Aug 2011
    • 2358

    #2
    I think this is purely a personal choice. Mint sets do cary a pretty nice premium when kept intact, and once broken up, it will be hard to ever prove again where they came from. If the rpm's are nice ones you will probably come out ahead by breaking them up and possibly submitting them for grading. I do not make these decisions lightly and usually keep all my sets intact. Good luck!

    Comment

    • RWBILLER
      Member
      • Jul 2008
      • 6870

      #3
      I have broken some open for putting the recent 2005-2010 satins in my dansco. But the 2008 - I believe - is worth keeping together. So in future - unless there is a wonder coin to be graded - I will keep together.
      Rog
      Roger
      ""Time and Tide wait for no man"

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      • Coppertop
        Banned
        • Feb 2012
        • 596

        #4
        Break them up and if you want , just buy another set. I've seen 69,sets go for as little as $7~10. Your set is worth more broken up IMO, because you could sell off the RPMs, and then left with at least a nice mint 69 worth about $5 in silver etc

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        • Antiquity
          Member
          • Jan 2011
          • 1590

          #5
          I agree its worth more broken up and sold by type. collectors will buy what they collect still in cello because they know its never been touched by human hands outside the mint.....
          THOMAS J.

          Comment

          • coppercoins
            Lincoln Cent Variety Expert
            • Dec 2008
            • 2482

            #6
            I would suggest first being certain that the RPMs you found are indeed RPMs - then it would be worth it. If you are busting out what you think MIGHT be RPMs, then you would almost certainly lose value in the set breaking it open.

            1969 RPMs are NOT a dime a dozen - they are rather difficult to find. The mere thought that you have ONE mint set containing TWO RPMs sounds a bit on the unbelievable side.
            Charles D. Daughtrey, NLG, Author, "Looking Through Lincoln Cents"
            [URL="http://www.coppercoins.com/"]http://www.coppercoins.com[/URL]

            Comment

            • RWBILLER
              Member
              • Jul 2008
              • 6870

              #7
              Chuck
              Great advice!
              Rog
              Roger
              ""Time and Tide wait for no man"

              Comment

              • creme_brule

                #8
                First off, thank you all for the advice! I think it comes down to confirming that mine are RPMs....

                Originally posted by coppercoins
                I would suggest first being certain that the RPMs you found are indeed RPMs - then it would be worth it. If you are busting out what you think MIGHT be RPMs, then you would almost certainly lose value in the set breaking it open.

                1969 RPMs are NOT a dime a dozen - they are rather difficult to find. The mere thought that you have ONE mint set containing TWO RPMs sounds a bit on the unbelievable side.
                Hmmm....I see. I will try and take pictures and post them when I can on this thread. I'm pretty sure on the D since it has a pretty obvious mark inside the D....either that or it's a REALLY strange die chip lol.

                Since I'm not really experienced on S mintmarks, I will have to confirm it. However, in the midst of al the humps lumps and bumps within the mintmark, it appears to have split serifs. Will post pics as son as I get the chance.

                Comment

                • creme_brule

                  #9
                  Here's a pic of each. The S I'm not positive about, since there's always so many lumps bumps and humps in the "S" mintmark.

                  Thanks for the help!
                  Attached Files

                  Comment

                  • coop
                    Member
                    • Jan 2012
                    • 2754

                    #10
                    A closer image might help. Hard to tell with the mint mark looks like?
                    Richard S. Cooper Some have asked about my images I use, and I'm glad to say I've completed a DVD of these. Ask if you are interested. Newer members like these.

                    Comment

                    • jfines69
                      Member
                      • Jun 2010
                      • 28848

                      #11
                      I agree with Coop... I tried zooming in and the pics pixelated to much to tell... Hopefully you can get some closer pics!!!
                      Jim
                      (A.K.A. Elmer Fudd) Be verwy verwy quiet... I'm hunting coins!!! Good Hunting!!!

                      Comment

                      • Coppertop
                        Banned
                        • Feb 2012
                        • 596

                        #12


                        thats the best I'm seeing

                        Comment

                        • coop
                          Member
                          • Jan 2012
                          • 2754

                          #13
                          Mark: Have you looked at coppercoins.com to see if there is a match there? The RPMs run in the $5-$20 range. But Comparing you coin to the images/markers there might help to determine if it is one of the ones listed. If not you may want to not open it yet. The images is pixelated a lot enlarged. If you are looking at the mark inside the lower area above the lower serif, the is punch damage. But if it is on the upper serif, it may be a split upper. There are two listed one coppercoins.com. So take a look there before opening you mint set.
                          Richard S. Cooper Some have asked about my images I use, and I'm glad to say I've completed a DVD of these. Ask if you are interested. Newer members like these.

                          Comment

                          • coppercoins
                            Lincoln Cent Variety Expert
                            • Dec 2008
                            • 2482

                            #14
                            Unfortunately I have to agree with the others on this - I can't see anything from the images. They will have to be lit a little better and magnified a little more - blowing up the images you have just pixellates them - it doesn't actually magnify them more.
                            Charles D. Daughtrey, NLG, Author, "Looking Through Lincoln Cents"
                            [URL="http://www.coppercoins.com/"]http://www.coppercoins.com[/URL]

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