1955 1c-50c Proof Set, Flat Packaging, 5 Coins PR

Original Packaging: The 1955 sets were delivered with two highly distinctive types of packaging. Early orders were packaged in the traditional individual envelopes, as described for the 1954 sets. Most seen included polyethylene envelopes, though there are reports of the older style cellophane being used. In either instance, the stapled envelopes were wrapped in tissue paper for some measure of protection and sealed inside small cardboard boxes with postal tape. Across this tape, on the top of the box was rubber­-­stamped 1955 UNITED STATES PROOF COINS.

Midway through 1955, the U.S. Mint adopted a more sophisticated method of packaging and delivering Proof sets. The five coins were sealed into a single, soft plastic envelope with pockets for each coin, arranged in two rows. The coins could slide about within their respective pockets, but they could not touch one another. A sixth pocket held an embossed seal made of paper and having a metallic finish. This was octagonal and featured us mint philadelphia printed in blue on silver.

The Mint described its new plastic envelope as “pliofilm,” though it appears to be some form of polyethylene. Each set was protected from damage by two strips of cardstock, and all three pieces were inserted, along with a brief fact sheet, into a buff-colored mailing envelope with a preprinted return address for the Philadelphia Mint and a discreet notation of its contents. The recipient’s address could be marked on this envelope,  but most customers ordered multiple sets, so a shipping box of corresponding size was used. This packaging was used through the Special Mint Set of 1965.

Commentary: Sales of Proof sets rose dramatically again this year, with the total exceeding that of 1954 by more than 50%. Speculation in Proof sets was growing, with most collectors now ordering more sets than they wanted for their own collections. They simply assumed that buying a few extra sets would pay off nicely in just a couple of years. For a while, at least, they were correct.

The 1955 Proof set was a winner in a couple of respects. For one thing, the half dollar was coined only at the Philadelphia Mint that year, and both the Proof and circulation pieces had attractively low mintages. For variety collectors, some of the sets included nickels having a tripled­-­die reverse, this being most evident in the word america. Though this variety was not noticed right away, it became a favorite of savvy collectors who, some years later, would go through set after set looking for it.

Like the cent of 1954, Philadelphia Mint nickels dated 1955 and coined for circulation are often seen a bit dark, as made. Again, this does not seem to have affected the Proof coinage, because greater care was taken in the selection of planchets.

Once again, an increase in mintage over 1954 led to a slightly greater availability of cameo and deep cameo Proofs. These coins also enjoy a higher survival rate in gem condition due to the introduction of soft pliofilm packaging.

Collectors are cautioned against an old fraud that was once commonplace with respect to these “flat­-­pack” Proof sets. A speculative fever developed during the late 1950s in sets that had never had their manila mailing envelopes opened. How this made the coins inside more desirable was never fully explained, but it prompted some dishonest persons to steam open these mailers, replace the coins with washers or slugs, and then reseal the envelopes. Quite a few of these gutted sets traded hands before curious owners could no longer stand the suspense and opened their sets to discover the fraud.

Source: Whitman