1972 - 1986 COMPLETE RUN UK & NORTHERN IRELAND PROOF SETS w/ Sleeves Boxes COAs

Description

Instant
Collection!
This is the complete run of 15 years (1972 - 1986) of the annual Proof Sets for the coinage of the UK & Northern Ireland, struck by the Royal Mint.
Each set from 1972 to 1982 comes in the original color sleeve.  The 1979 set includes the original outer brown paper mailing envelope.  Royal Mint began including certificates of authenticity with sets in 1980, and certs for 1980 - 1982 are here (and shown).  In 1983, Royal Mint issued the first of the 'Deluxe' or 'Prestige' sets, with the plastic coin case made part of a snap-shut 'book'.  These were packaged in outer boxes along with COAs and postcards which could be mailed to the Royal Mint for information on other Mint products.  Included are the boxes, COAs and postcards for all four years 1983 - 1986.
The sets from 1972 through 1984 contain the six regular decimal coins struck in Proof, the 1/2p, 1p and 2p in bronze, and the 5p, 10p and 50p  in cupro-nickel.  6-coin sets were issued 1973-76, 1978-1981.
Additionally, special commemoratives or new denominations appeared in:
1972 - 7 coins including a special One Crown coin struck in cupro-nickel to commemorate the Silver wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.
1977 - 7 coins including a special One Crown coin struck in cupro-nickel to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee year.
1982 - 7 coins with the introduction of the 20p coin, struck in cupro-nickel.
1983 - 8 coins with the introduction of the one pound coin, struck in nickel-brass.  This 8-coin configuration would carry over to 1984 as well.
1985 - it was back to 7 coins with the elimination of the 1/2p bronze coin.
1986 - 8 coins with the introduction of the 2 pound coin, struck in nickel-brass to commemorate the Commonwealth Games.  The Royal Mint began the issuing of a different commemorative 2 pound coin every year with this year, a practice that continues to date.
A total of 100 different coins are included in this complete 15-year Proof Set collection. In addition are the dated Royal Mint medallions for each year, struck in bronze.  As sets have been broken open over the years to get at individual coins, these medallions have become quite collectible in their own right.
Condition issues to note:
Expect minor handling wear to the colored sleeves of sets 1972 - 1982. A few once had auction house identification stickers and these may show some very slight pulling or residue where the stickers were.  1974 and 1975 are effected by this more noticeably while many show nothing at all.  The sets 1983-1986 are all in excellent condition with the outer boxes showing minor and typical handling wear, the year of issue written in ink, an inventory system number written in black marker, and sticker residue (1986 has a sticker).
The COAs for sets 1980-1986 are shown on the front only and show little to no handling wear. Due to the nature in which the books snap shut and how the COAs are positioned inside, they can leave pressure marks on the paper.  The 1984 COA has a light pressure line. The mail-in postcard for 1983 has a similar pressure line, and the card for 1985 has a heavy crease that is most likely a factory defect and not from careless closing of the case (you will see what I mean).
All in all these are very minor packaging faults that are mentioned for the sake of accuracy and do not affect the coins.
As for the coins themselves:
All sets are imaged showing both sides.  My scanner does not do a terrific job with coins; I usually see better results with my phone's camera - on loose coins.  However, as you can see from one side of the sets 1983-1986, the plastic cases result in very noticeable reflection.  So scanning was the better option. Unfortunately, those 1983-1986 plastic cases are fixed to the 'book' in a way that allowed scanning on just the one side.  Trying to force the other side flat would have damaged the packaging.
Therefore, it is difficult to make out the coin details clearly.  There is some natural toning on coins in some of the sets, bust most are clean and bright.  Due to the striking capabilities in the earlier years, the coins in these sets look more polished with a lack of mirrored surfaces. It wasn't until 1980 that the details have that frosted look with mirror surfaces.  Oddly enough it is the 1981 set that exhibits the most noticeable toning, with a cloudy 'ring' seen on the reverse of the larger cupro-nickel coins.
Again, this is stated for the sake of accuracy.  This is a beautiful instant collection that is not often seen.  All but the 1983 Deluxe set has had at least one example sold in the last 90 days.  I have taken the lowest selling price including the cost of shipping (a good number saw one example only and came from the UK, so shipping was costlier).  The grand total was just south of 0.
My asking price, with free insured Priority shipping (this lot has some good weight to it and would not be cheap) presents a great opportunity
for a US collector to start or add to their collection of British coinage.