Expert: Joe Hylas - 3/20/2010

Question
Hi Joe, My mother-in-law gives my husband a proof set every year for Christmas. I think it was in 2006, one of the coins has a very obvious scratch in it. We noticed the scratch when it was given to him and his mom got it straight from the US Mint and the plastic case was clearly intact so I don't believe it was tampered with. What we have always wondered is will this increase the value or decrease the value since it seems like the mint let this coin leave in less than proof condition. Your thoughts and expert opinion is appreciated?

Answer
Hello Kristina,
Unfortunately, when the set was received from the mint, it should have been returned for replacement.  The scrathc will definitely decrease the value, no matter who made it.  There is no such thing as "less than proof condition".  Proof is a process by which the coin is made, not the quality.  Hence, you coin which should have been a PR-70 grade is probably only PR-64
Sorry for the bad news...

Regards
Joe Hylas
www.AllCoins.US