1) How difficult was it to buy one this past year when the US Mint had them in Stock? 2) was this the first year they did the 2-coin set with the normal and the "reverse proof"? 3) How sure are we that they'll do the same thing next year? I'm late to the game and really want both by don't want to pay the crazy prices I'm seeing on eBay, etc. I can wait and don't need MS70; I'll take a little less to save a bunch of $. (plus I think that if you buy directly from the Mint, you "get what you get", ungraded, and the earlier you order, the better your chances of getting an MS70) Thx.
1) Not very, I ordered one. I later cancelled it. 2) It was the first year for the reverse proof/enhanced proof combo. 3) I doubt they do the exact same package again next year, although the coins may be offered in other groupings.
Not really, the 70's can appear at any time and there is no provable relationship between time of ordering and quality of coin received.