Whitman Expo
1938 1c-50c Proof Set, 5 Coins Original Government Packaging (OGP)
Greysheet & CPG® PRICE GUIDE
- U.S. Coins /
- Proof & Mint Sets /
- Proof Sets (1936–) /
- 1938 1c-50c Proof Set, 5 Coins /
- Original Government Packaging (OGP)
- Values
- U.S. Coins
- Proof & Mint Sets
- Proof Sets (1936–)
- 1938 1c-50c Proof Set, 5 Coins
- Original Government Packaging (OGP)
The big news for 1938 was the debut of the Jefferson nickel. While today’s collectors regret that the popular Indian Head/Buffalo type was not continued for a few more years, hobbyists of 1938 eagerly anticipated the new issue. Unfortunately, these coins were not ready until the fall. Most collectors went ahead and ordered the other denominations early in the year, because the Mint still permitted Proofs to be ordered in any combination desired. As may be seen from the published mintage figures, the new nickel was a runaway bestseller. Because the number of other Proofs sold in 1938 was up significantly from the year before, it is quite possible that some collectors went ahead and ordered complete Proof sets, including the nickel, after having already purchased the other coins earlier in the year. Beginning with this year, the number of Proofs surviving in gem condition likewise increase. There was a growing demand for the Proof coins of 1936 and 1937 among those who had been caught napping or who were just discovering the hobby, and the prices of these issues were already above their original cost. This proved to be just a precursor of what was to come, as the 1936 set in particular caused a speculative mania. 1938 Proofs showing any degree of cameo contrast are very rare and highly desired by collectors.
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Greysheet/Greensheet prices are wholesale market levels for collectible coins/paper money intended to indicate what a dealer, or wholesale, buyer would pay for the described item in the specified grade. Greysheet/Greensheet represent "sight-seen" values based on a buyer's in-hand review. The actual value can be more or less than this depending on factors including eye appeal and market timing.
Bluesheet (NGC & PCGS) prices represent the highest sight-unseen offers to buy on dealer networks like CDN Exchange. In many cases, there are no active sight-unseen buy offers, so CDN looks to the recent lowest market values for such an item. For this reason, Bluesheet values typically represent the floor of the market for the specified item. CDN only tracks Bluesheet on certain items.
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Price movement is indicated for price changes in the last 30 days.
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