uncirculated sets from RCM

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karlpc
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uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by karlpc » Mon Dec 26, 2022 3:46 pm

are uncirculated sets...they are in a clear pliable platic sleeve...the same as PL SETS ?
what specific grade are these RCM uncirculated sets?
too many moving parts....i need a 101 course
thanks

coinguy
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by coinguy » Mon Dec 26, 2022 4:27 pm

Depends on the year, your not giving much information.
Up until 1967, they were known as PL sets, after 1967 they were known as BU sets.
The grades would depend on the coin. Each coin would be graded independently.

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CanuckCoinGirl
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by CanuckCoinGirl » Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:18 pm

Regardless of what collectors or book writers indicate, for the RCM, there is no such thing as Proof-Like coins. The RCM indicates that they are only uncirculated and their uncirculated (or Brilliant Uncirculated, which is the term they do use) are no different than what is found in your pocket based on their production techniques. The benefit of cellophane packaging from the start keeps them untouched, but does not magically make them different. A sandwich brought to your table wrapped in film is not more gourmet than one brought on a plate without film because someone couldn't touch it, nor is it made differently. The packaging allows the RCM to have 'sets' for collectors, gifts, and nice objects for sale - mementos and special things - the premium price for them is not a result of having a different coin, but that they are packaged and value added is from the packaging.

There is the information on 1953 sets - the rare and odd set of coins packaged in paper holders. New dies were created for 1953 with the new Elizabeth Obverse coins and the RCM started seeing the value in producing more than the custom sets they had before. A number of the Mint Sets being sold by the RCM appear to have gotten a mix of coins, but mostly the sets are the business strike. Colonial Acres Auction House has a photo of the 'rare' type 1953 Mint Set that appears to have led to the the Proof-Like term, and there are a few others floating around, but the images look like some BU and Proof coins made it to the cardboard holders together. Generally, or more correctly -unfortunately, the PL term has been used for all the sets that were going to become more common with increase mintage from 1954 onward, which were untouched standard business strikes (with the RCM really starting its new enterprise of becoming a maker of coins for collectors and gift givers).

Proof-Like is a term that has been applied to the RCM coins, despite the process used indicating that it should not be. Let's be clear, the RCM does not use the term PL, and it really isn't correct for any of the uncirculated sets, with the 1953 exception. The uncirculated packaged coins are not added to rolls or moved, so they may have fewer marks on the rims and surfaces that are obvious, which collectors are quick to look for on really lovely uncirculated coins, but even these uncirculated coins can have marking from each other, being stacked, etc.. They should not have wear because of how they are packaged and, thus, should always be in mint state until removed from the film or touched directly. That said, the film is permeable and toning is possible. It's time to stop using PL for Canadian sets. Some years, the coins just look more stunning than other years because of the metals or the surface the images used. The uncirculated coins are part of overall circulation mintage.

Good quality die and the lack of fingers can leave the finishes lovely. These coins are not double struck intentionally. Any double strikes to the uncirculated sets that have been noted result from the same random errors that occur with what we see in circulated coins. Fast double strikes create errors in coins that can make them worth more for the circulation styles. For actual Proof coins with the mirror finish and textured relief, the die is polished and coins are double struck at low speeds to avoid movement of the blanks. Some of this information has morphed into descriptions of the PL coins, but is not how the RCM made their business strike coins. These actual Proof coins and some other RCM coins look different than the Brilliant Uncirculated and circulated coins (the latter two being the same) we might expect to see. Proof coins are carefully reviewed and errors should be removed prior to the packaging.

In 2020 the RCM released an uncirculated packaged set of stunning quarters - Numis-tastic - highlighting their only finishes: BU, SPECIMEN, PROOF, Reverse PROOF, and Matte PROOF. The RCM no longer can sell Numis-tastic sets directly, but Canadian coin dealers may still have some of these. They are lovely. Of course they have coloured coins, glow in the dark coins, relief, etc, that are built on these basic finishes. Different metals can also be used, which leads to different looks, but are still based on the same production processes.

The RCM has updated their website information and it is excellent on their productions for coin collectors.
https://www.mint.ca/store/mint/learn/th ... s-10600012 Here there is a video and details - and even discussion of the cellophane packaging. If you have not been to the RCM in Winnipeg or Ottawa, a tour is good- and there are virtual tours now too.

Bill in Burl
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by Bill in Burl » Thu Jan 05, 2023 8:01 am

Extremely well stated. From my understanding, the P-L term started with dealers, many of them major, then it bled into Charlton and Charlton was budzo with Trends for years. So it started and people don't want it to end. An UNC coin is an UNC coin, regardless the moniker. I'm glad someone is taking a strong verbal stand .. I'm in
Bill in Burl

karlpc
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by karlpc » Thu Jan 05, 2023 10:53 am

WOW!
that is quite the review
thanks coingirl

coinguy
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by coinguy » Thu Jan 05, 2023 11:09 am

Not disagreeing with anything you say CanuckCoinGirl, but until you can get Catalogues, Dealers, Grading companies etc. to stop using the term, I think it will be with us a long time as it is embedded into our little
coin collecting minds.

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CanuckCoinGirl
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by CanuckCoinGirl » Sat Jan 07, 2023 12:47 pm

The RCM has never used the term PL for their business strikes. The sooner people start just saying there is no such thing as a PL Canadian coin, the faster people will start using BU or UNC. Fact is, any dealer or collector worth their salt will know that PL is not correct. Books are guides, but sometimes they are just wrong. If the RCM has never made a PL coin, Canadian coins should never be called PL. Simple enough. The coins in packaging do not have bag marks, but they are exactly the same as circulation coins otherwise.

TBH
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by TBH » Sun Jan 08, 2023 12:06 am

The only thing factual here is that the mint never used the term PL.
The rest of what has been posted here is such nonsense that it's not worth a rebuttal.

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CanuckCoinGirl
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by CanuckCoinGirl » Sun Jan 08, 2023 5:01 pm

TBH wrote:
Sun Jan 08, 2023 12:06 am

The rest of what has been posted here is such nonsense that it's not worth a rebuttal.
Well that certainly makes one wonder what exactly you think is nonsense?

Bill in Burl
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by Bill in Burl » Sun Jan 08, 2023 6:09 pm

I agree with Canuckcoingirl, TBH. Where do you see any nonsense? Do you mean that stating facts is nonsense?
Bill in Burl

CamCanCoin
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Re: uncirculated sets from RCM

Post by CamCanCoin » Mon Apr 10, 2023 3:07 pm

Does anyone else find it humorous that after this very informative thread followed by the topic named “2001 proof like sets..” I sure do!🤣

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