Modern proof set pricing

I lost interest in the proof sets when they moved to the hideous "laser etched" frosting process. By 2010, all proof coins were manufactured with this horrible detail-degrading process. Some of you have seen my pics of these before, but see below to know what I'm talking about.

 

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As for grading each design for the quarters, the easiest way would be to write a few sentences about the highest points on each design. That would be concise and helpful. But I agree that too many issues can also make people lose interest. In any case, I still think one issue (ie the older designs) will lose the interest of more overall than yearly changes. I'd think the best option option would be lady liberty designs that hold for a decade or so

 

Yeah, that laser etching sucks, but it's the only game in town for a limited edition proof U.S. Coin.

 

I totally agree! I've noticed this development too. It's hideous

 

Wow, that etching is terrible. But I imagine it is a huge cost save, so I wouldn't be optimistic that it will ever revert back to the higher quality.

 

The only thing the Mint says is that the mint set coins are produced on special presses to ensure sharpness of strike. It doesn't say how they are transported along the production line.

Chris

 

That's fascinating.

 

Yeah, I know. The kids like ASEs, and I had to buy those. Darn things don't fit in the half dollar rolls, lol.

 

Variety is good up to a point, but I think the mint has gone way overboard and this has caused me to lose interest in moderns as a whole. If we end up with 50 or 100 different offerings that are "rare" because of low mintage, then the result is that "rare" coins are really quite common. Also, if the quantity of offerings make it too expensive to complete a set the overall demand will decrease.

Remember that you are a unique person, just like everyone else...

 

I go on record as liking laser etching. I enjoy the contrast in view.

 

What happened in 2007-2009 transition period? Some of the pieces look to have some sort of laser technique used, but it isn't as offensive to me as the 2010 pieces. This would make an interesting write up for Coin World or Numismatic News.

 

This. When the mint started churning out "products" rather than just coins, they lost me.

 

The 08/09 etching does it for me. The 10 and later is horrendous.

 

Different coins were released with the laser etching beginning in different years. There was no "transition" state of any of the coins. They are either laser etched or the old pickling/etching method. The years of introduction of the horrible laser etching process are as below:

2006: Silver Eagle
2007: Presidential Dollars
2009: Washington Quarters
2010: Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Five Cent, Roosevelt Dime, Kennedy Half, Native American Dollars

 

This is true. They've actually found Presidential Dollars in Chuck E Cheese machines. The Mint should have had a warning on them: "These are REAL money, they are NOT Chuck E Cheese tokens!"

 

The March of Dimes set was the last straw for me. I don't care about the low mintages on specials any more. I'm done with modern proofs of all types. My money is going back into the classic coinage I love and can appreciate more. If the mint doesn't wake up and realize how much this process obliterates detail, then they can suffer the consequences of diminished interest in their products. Hey, maybe that's the reason for the low mintages in the first place. To inflate interest in the stuff that is slipping in sales.

Rick L.

 

"How big a chump can you get to be? I was finding out."
- Robert Mitchum, Out Of The Past (1947)

 

Hmmm, interesting! Should I infer from this that a vending machine taking US Dollar coins would also accept Chuck-E-Cheese tokens?

 

I can see the next step being just a silhouette profile and date/mottoes being directly laser-etched onto a polished disk of metal.

 

Well, I suppose, but that would be breaking the law, David.