Clad Proof Sets (Value vs Mintage)

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Phil Ham, Apr 19, 2014.

  1. Phil Ham

    Phil Ham Hamster

    ***Warning: You should not read this thread if you purchased clad proof sets from 1999-2001 on the after market about a decade ago and have a weak heart***

    I recently started a thread on silver proof sets from 1999 to present and decided to complete one for clad proof sets. I've started this comparison in 1999 to coincide with the state quarter program that continued into the terrotorial quarters, and now the ATB's. I've used ebay - completed sales to estimate the market value. Despite the disappointment on the value of sets from 1999-2007, the value of sets from 2008-2012 seem to be holding value at least for now. The 2012 set got a huge bump when they ended sales suddenly in January 2013.

    Year Mintage Issue Price/Market Value
    1999 2,557,899 $20/$11
    2000 3,097,442 $20/$8
    2001 2,249,498 $20/$10
    2002 2,319,786 $20/$10
    2003 2,245,295 $20/$11
    2004 1,804,396 $23/$11
    2005 2,275,000, $23/$8
    2006 2,000,428 $23/$12
    2007 1,717,972 $27/$18
    2008 1,405,674 $27/$50
    2009 1,477,967 $30/$30
    2010 1,103,930 $32/$40
    2011 1,098,175 $32/$40
    2012 792,002 $32/$105
    2013 794,679 $32/$32*
    2014 249,425 $29/$29* (10% subscription discount)

    * US Mint still selling the sets.
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2014
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  3. 19Lyds

    19Lyds Member of the United States of Confusion

    Thanks Phil. Might I suggest including the original issue price on these lists? It is available in the Redbook.

    I remember back around 2005 or so when I decided to cull down the number of proof coins I had so I pulled some triplicate sets out and marched down to the local coin shop. I'd calculated a value of around $60 or so and was questioningly surprised when the total came out to over $150. Being courteous I asked for a recount.

    To my surprise, the 2001-S Clad Proof set I'd brought in had been trading fro around $120 a set! This jump was fueled by a seemingly low mintage and recent high sales of Sacagawea proofs in high grade.

    Unfortunately, the boom did not last long.
     
  4. Phil Ham

    Phil Ham Hamster

    I've added the original issue price from the mint on my original post. Unfortunately, I paid a lot more for the 1999, 2000, and 2001 on the after market in 2005.
     
  5. 19Lyds

    19Lyds Member of the United States of Confusion

    As did a lot of folks but isn't the purpose of the list to show where the values are compared to what they were originally issued for?
     
  6. Phil Ham

    Phil Ham Hamster

    I guess for some but I was doing it to see how I did versus my original purchase price.
     
  7. Mojavedave

    Mojavedave Senior Member

    Thanks Phil. Very informative. I for one, appreciate this information and look forward to other U.S. coin value analysis. I have the silver that you did and am looking forward to more of your post.

    Dave
     
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  8. onecenter

    onecenter Member

    Very helpful and enlightening information. Thank you.

    I buy proof sets for my collecting enjoyment, not to increase wealth. It has been proven over the past 60+ years that modern American proof coins of circulating designs issued since 1950 are purely a numismatic endeavor and not for wealth transfer purposes, silver coins exempted, of course. They have a precious metal premium, at minimum.

    For collectors such as myself that started buying proof sets in 1960s and 1970s, there were so few choices to collect premium examples of coinage that the annual proof sets and uncirculated sets were basically, it, nothing else available. There was no bullion, no commemoratives, no .900 fine silver dollars, even. Mintages were high and resale garners almost no premium, with only isolated examples.
     
  9. Not a fan of the clad proof sets. I have sold the few I had for a loss.
     
  10. 19Lyds

    19Lyds Member of the United States of Confusion

    Oh Gosh! Everyone of those sets I purchased from the US Mint and it pains me to see what was actually lost.

    BUT, that's typical for Modern US Coins. Mass produced with the only saving grace being certain desireable varieties.
     
  11. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    Desirable varieties or an example of the year in question. Not a moment do I put a value on these as they reside in my collection. Rise or fall in price I care not. Collectible.........:)
     
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  12. berneck1

    berneck1 Junior Member

    Yeah, this doesn't surprise me. Modern clad coins are a poor investment. With very few exceptions, you will always lose. That being said, I respect that some people are collectors first and investors second. I tend to fall in this group. However, if I have the choice to buy a gold/silver version vs a clad version, I ALWAYS go with the gold/silver.

    Also, when you adjust for inflation, it looks even worse. I'll also add that if you needed money fast, and had to sell quickly, you will probably get even less, especially from a dealer. At least with the silver sets you will always get close to melt value, and can at least spend the rest of the money in it.
     
  13. Phil Ham

    Phil Ham Hamster

    I often wonder at the percentage of these sets are broken down and put into books, graded, or sold separately. My guess is nearly 50% of them find this path. I've often heard from dealers that you can make more more by breaking them down. I even heard it from watching Mike on HSN. As much as I'm tempted, I just can't seem to do it.
     
  14. dimeguy

    dimeguy Dime Enthusiast

    I am one of those collectors. I buy 2 sets each year. One stays in original government packaging, the other I disassemble and place the coins in my respective albums. I have no doubt your prediction of 50% is accurate considering the number of slabbed and sold raw at shops and shows, not to mention those collectors like me who MUST have the proof represented in the album.
     
  15. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    It took me years to overcome my phobia about cracking open proof sets.........
     
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  16. Phil Ham

    Phil Ham Hamster

    Even though I have several sets from certain years, I just can't seem to do it. I will go onto ebay and buy the individual coins to fill the blanks in my coin books. I did once cut open a 1987-P and 1987-D that I bought on ebay just for filling in holes. They arrived in the mint plastic from the mint set and I cut them open. I also did them same thing for a 1996-W dime. I'm still hoping that I'll get into that great vault in the sky for these sins!
     
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  17. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    Very interesting info. I bought a 1999 set from the mint when I was a kid and I remember that the silver sets were selling for huge numbers for a few years after their release. The clads were bringing around $100 or so...and they they just dropped like a rock. I wonder if we will see the same trend for the 2012 set.
     
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  18. onecenter

    onecenter Member

    I thought about cracking open sets more than 20 years ago and I have still never done so. I just cannot do it.
     
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  19. Phil Ham

    Phil Ham Hamster

    I bought five 1999 clad proof sets for $300 in 2006. I thought it was a pretty good deal when they were selling for nearly $100/each. I think the 2012 sets will drop a little in value but the low mintage will probably keep them above $50/each.
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2014
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  20. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    Whoa Phil.........did ya use the time machine? devil.gif
     
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  21. Phil Ham

    Phil Ham Hamster

    No Ken, I switched to a spreadsheet that reminds me of all my "stellar" deals. I am still sitting on a box of 5 25th anniversary silver eagle sets. It pays for all the other stuff and then some. I also am sitting on all the 2012 sets, which will probably drop in value but I can't sell because they've become part of my family.
     
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