Well the numbers are out. The US mint has stated that the total number for proof sets will be 5.65 million. This includes the quarter sets, clad sets, and silver sets. They are also raising the price to $37.95 for the Silver Proof set. Clad proof sets will be sold at $22.95. The Uncirculated sets will be sold at $16.95 These are $2 to $6 increases across the board from last year. Metal prices and the new addition of the five cent coin are the causes according to the mint. With the new designed nickel coin, and a couple of major states being introduced on the state quarters, look for brisk sales.
Well well well It sounds like this year mint or proof sets will not be rare--at least for a long time. I thought that the mint said that they would not raise the cost of the sets?? Speedy
Yeah I heard that story also. But silver is up, and I know copper was, so maybe they are paying more also. With the first eleven coin set, I expected a bit of an increase.
The price of every metal is up - steel, tin, zinc, copper - you name it it's up. It all comes back to the US dollar dropping on the currency markets. As for the minatge numbers - that 5.65 million is not as high as it seems. That is to be the mintage for all Proof sets combined, the quarter Proof sets, the clad Proof sets and the Silver Proof sets ( which this year include a seperate Silver quarter Proof set ). So the mintage numbers are about what they have been for the past few years.
Quite true. I remember an earlier thread in which you and I both agreed that this set would not reach those of the 99 sets, but I am rethinking this. With Florida, Michigan, two new Jeffersons, silver prices, and an average mintage, ????????? Now will they hold their value like the 99 sets, again, I have to put more thought into this. Now with all that said, as a larger dealer, I order proof sets in the thousands every year. Like most every dealer in the country we start the price at two dollars over mint issue price. Now rumors are already circulating that the silver proof sets will jump significantly. Who knows? For the first time in history the mint is issuing an 11 coin set. This may add to the collectability. Just a thought.
Speaking of metals prices...I heard a story on NPR that in England scoundrels are stealing manhole covers and scrapping them. They're made of cast iron. Of course this causes serious traffic problems. Can you imagine running into a manhole with no cover? Yikes!
Well I remember the last run on metals, when people were trying to melt every piece of material that they could find. It amazes me what people will do sometimes.
