Proof Sets from US Mint or Ebay?

Im wondering what everyones opinion on buying proof sets from the US Mint are. Is it worth it to buy them directly from the Mint, or wait until they become available on Ebay?
Are silver proof sets worth the premium you pay, or again is it worth it to just wait until next years set comes out?
Im wondering because I'd like to start collecting them as they come out. I specifically have my eyes on the America the Beautiful 2019 set, I love the way these ones look.
Just trying weigh my options and hear some opinions from people who have way more experience in this than I do.

 

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Personally, I don't buy that stuff from the US Mint anymore because if you just wait it will be on ebay for cheaper. US Mint, no, no and no again. Unless it's something special that they're releasing, I just stay away from them. Their premium is ridiculous.

 

Clad proof sets usually plummet in value so the aftermarket is generally a better deal. Silver proof sets hold up a little bit better but not much.

I buy a silver proof set from the mint every year because I like silver coins and modern proofs are very well struck. But that doesn't make it smart. It's convenient and I know the sets are new.

This year the mint is offering a bonus 2019-W cent with each proof set. This should boost sales which means the 2019 proof sets should be incredibly cheap in a year or two, IMO.

 

Agreed.

Also, for the Silver Proof set, the bonus 2019-W cent is a Reverse Proof. And for the first time, the silver is .999 (previously it was 90% silver and 10% copper).

More info: https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/2019/03/2019-w-lincoln-cents-only-available-as-premiums.html

 

Having parents that bought multiple proof sets from the mint of both the silver and the regular sets. for over 20 years. 5 sets a year, for grand kids and me. They would have been better off put the cost in an envelope since after they died the wholesale selling price was nil some lost $10.00 or more in the price. Even selling on one of the sites retail is way less than mint price. I am not a coin collector, I do tokens and some medals. A couple were worth more taking the coins out of the holders. WAIT!!

 

Not to hijack the thread, but a bit of a tangent here, if you please:

Is anyone buying extra sets *just* to get an extra "W" or two?

I bought the first set just to get the "w" cent. It sold out rather quickly. Wishing I had bought two so I could have sold the 2nd and recouped some of the cost.

 

What do you mean by sold out? There is no mintage limit on proof sets nor the 2019-W cent, and they are both still available from the mint. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you.

https://catalog.usmint.gov/proof-se...71879.1552051397-248745041.1541526699&start=1

 

IMO the Mint overcharges for their products.
There are many dates in the 70's and 80's in which proof sets cost less than the original issue price.

 

See thats one of the main reasons i want to get it because its the first time its been struck with .999, the reverse proof penny would be cool to, but im a sucker for the quarter artwork. Maybe its one of those things i should just buy it if i want it and not care how much i pay. I mean i dont plan on selling these things, just passing them down to whatever granchild or nephew seems most interested in coins.

 

I noticed that while browsing ebay. I almost picked a couple up but im not super interested in those dates really. Id consider it a waste of money on my behalf.

 

Yep, in this hobby just buy what you like and enjoy it for what it is.
I get a silver set every year because they're silver and they're pretty.

 

I'd have to imagine that purchases from the mint would be well screened ahead of shipping (for more 'premium' finds IE: doubling, grade, etc).

 

Yes, I bought 2 more than usual.

I usually buy a Mint and a Proof set just to break them up for singles. Clad sets drop on eBay but buying from the Mint I know what I'm getting.

 

Long ago I threw back those "w' coins before I knew any better. Oh well.

 

The mints quality control is what a lot would consider rather lax. A lot of people have stopped dealing directly with them from quality issues and would rather get something they can see first on the after market to know what they're getting

 

"The inclusion of a special cent with the traditional Proof set has had only a modest impact on orders for the 2019 edition. The set went on sale March 1 and as of the March 3 sales report, had sold 196,034 sets. In contrast, sales for the standard 2018 Proof set during its first few days of availability totaled 182,940 sets."

-- This is the last paragraph in a Coin World article 3/8/2019.

 

It will be interesting to see if the accidently sold cents have value if they include the mint paperwork. Will NGC or PCGS certify the coins with the appropriate paperwork?

 

From the collector's point of view, yup. The mint's view is probably that they should price to maximize current profit.

Cal

 

That was my first reaction, too. Maybe they went on back-order? Briefly?

 

Probably not without a still sealed shipping box.