A Lifetime of Mint Sets

Ha ha! The '99 always slips my mind. For whatever reason I always laughingly refer to the 79-81 SBA dollar as the "disco years" run -- and then we had "that little addendum" in 1999.

 

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I once had a couple sets from '68-'71 and noticed how nice those coins were. I wasn't aware that there was less human-hand involvement as the 1980s got underway.

As a Lincoln collector, I had known about the wash used on 1981 Philly Lincoln cents, producing a lighter-colored coin than usual -- which mine has. Though my D/S package is full beautiful coins.

 

I have both a mint and proof set run from 1959 - 2010, that was a lot of fun to put together. I am currently working on a complete set of walker Halves, this should keep me busy for awhile. Good luck with building your set!!!!

 

The nice thing about a mint set collecton like you're talking about is that it won't break the bank and there is definitely the element of the "hunt" involved. And you might pay higher prices for gemmy sets, it still won't be ridiculous.

they do take up a bit of space though

 

I also decided that this was a worthwhile pursuit and have assembled a run of US Mint Sets from 1962-date complete and I mean complete. I have the 1970 small date set and the 65,66 and 67 Special Mint Sets. I also have the silver 3 coin set in 76 and the SBA from 1999. What I love the most is that my set also includes 1982 and 1983 Souvenir Mint Sets (available only at the US Mint to visitors) to bridge the gap in Mint issue sets during those 2 years. 1 set from Philly and 1 from Denver for each year. These are US Mint issue uncirculated sets and IMHO complete the run of coins from my birth year until now. They can also be an interesting addition.

It is worth taking your time and selecting nicer sets that you can be proud of. Mediocre sets are a dime a dozen but, as you will find and contrary to what has been posted, the nice sets are out there. They still exist but they do take a little work. You have to look at a lot of sets and what I think that really means is that you have to be willing to say no to any and every set and make it the exception rather than the rule that you find a set that is acceptable.

 

I plan on going to a coin dealer or two this week and starting to see what's out there. It's encouraging to know good sets still survive. Whatever the case, I want to do this right... I don't want to regret throwing $200-300 into a collection of so-so mint sets.

I have contemplated the idea of buying the 1982 and 1983 souvenir sets, but not sure. They really aren't mint sets, per se, but to have the 2-year gap in my collection would actually be a problem to the "completion" stand point of the collection. Too bad I wasn't born in 1984... I'd be three years younger and not need to worry about buying those expensive and elusive '82 and '83 sets!! HAHAHAHA!!!

 

dear clad,

with the amount of money being fleeced the least they can do is get us 67's but you will be hard pressed for true 65's you should post some pics of your sets when you have the time

 

Well, I completed my goal -- a true lifetime of mint sets. I couldn't help myself... I was born in 1981 but when I was at the coin dealer I saw a 1980 and thought two things: 1980 was the year I was... ahem... "started" and "Oh, now I'll have complete run of sets from the 1980s..." So, I picked up the '80.

I have everything from 1980 up through my brand new 2010 which just arrived. I did not purchase the 1982 or 1983 souvenirs. I figured they really aren't mint sets, after all. Maybe when I get some more money to work with, I'll think differently about the '82 and '83. For now though, I'm satisfied.

All the coins look pretty nice and all the packaging and inserts are intact and in nice shape.

I look forward to adding onto this mint set collection for many (many, many I hope) decades to come

I have a picture of my new collection below.

Not much to see outside of a bunch of envelopes, but still, I thought I should post a photo anyway :thumb:

 

great job!!! Im not a big proof guy but the sets are kinda cool.I have 1937-present

 

Thanks, Dimefreak. I started off buying mint sets for the first few years I was in the hobby in the mid-1990s and simply diverted interests but had always intended to keep buying at least a mint set each year. Now I'm back on track and then some.

You have a proof set run from 1937 to the present? I bet that's an absolutely beautiful collection you have!

 

Believe it or not I got 37-42 locally! some of the first coins I ever purchased. He let me put them all on layaway. Maybe ill try to grab them out of the bank tomorrow and snap some photos

Jon

 

Wow, you got those on layaway? Amazing deal! Are they in original paper or are they in Capital holders?

 

capitol :-(

 

But still, to have the 1937 through 1942 sets in ANY type of holder is an accomplishment to cherish! I imagine it must feel pretty great to have such an inclusive collection like that!

 

Congratulations Coinman1981 on this leg of the journey !
Don't forget that you have only 8 decades left to complete all of your remaining goals, so you better get busy

 

Nice looking collection and thanks for posting. If you don't mind me asking, what was the average price you paid for these.?

 

Thanks a million, Kanga!

 

Except for the 1981, 1996, and 2006-2010, everything was $4 to $10 each. The 1981 set me back around $15 back in 2004. The 1996 was around $15 last week. My dealer sold me the 2008 for $45, and then I paid $20 to $40 for the others.

...And then the U.S. Mint charged me $31.95 for my '10. Boy, do I miss the days of $8 and no shipping charge.

 

One thing that I've never liked about collecting proof/mint sets... How can you display them properly? Do you just leave them in boxes/sleeves and take them out to look at them from time to time? Is there any way to display such sets, or do most people just... store them?

 

many currency folders will accomodate Mint Sets although I just take mine out of a box from time to time