Is there a quality difference in buying the uncirculated proof set just to get a coin vs. picking up a US Mint uncirculated roll of that coin? Will the UC proof set have more or less marks than the rolled coins or are they about the same?
Seems to be a bit of confusion, either that or you are just not sure of the terminology. Proof is a method of manufacture, Proof coins have highly polished fields just like a mirror and frosted devices and legends. Coins from a Mint set look just like the coins you spend everyday. There are Proof sets, and there are Mint sets - both are uncirculated. Now, the coins you get in rolls, directly from the mint are also uncirculated. But they are just exactly like the coins you can get in rolls from the banks and the coins you spend - at least to look at them. But the coins you get in Mint sets are struck with higher pressures, are handled more carefully by the mint so that they have less marks on them, and then they are packaged and sold. So, as a general rule, and I say general because it is not always true, the coins in Mint sets will be in better condition and of a better quality than the coins you get the rolls from the mint.
Gotcha...I meant mint sets, but said proof set. I'm a bit new to coin collecting. Thanks for your response!
The very best uncirculated mint state coins almost invariably are found in the mint sets. Average quality in the set is poor sometimes but still the best will be among these. This is a general rule and there are some coins which don't appear at all in the mint set.
I should point out that as of 2005, the mint has been applying a satin finish to the mint set coins, so really they are a different coin than what you'll find in rolls that the US Mint sells, which I assume are the standard business strike.
