The U.S. Mint has a link on their catalog homepage talking about their increased or lowered prices. Their First Day Covers are now only $14.95. I started buying them when I was nine because I thought they were nice. Now they seem like junk, but I want to finish the set, and if I had waited I would have saved $253 because all but 5 are still available! https://answers.usmint.gov/cgi-bin/usmint.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=176 Edit: Does anybody here still collect the first day covers?
I just noticed the price changes, too. I don't really collect the stuff the mint offers, mostly just stuff to fill albums and old coins but starting last December I became a fan of proof sets and mint sets. I bought the 1987 Prestige and uncirulated sets (my birth year) and the 2003 and 2004 silver proof sets on eBay. I also purchased the 2005 and 2006 silver proof sets from the mint. I started a subscription for silver proof sets and uncirculated sets and the price increases aren't too bad ($6 or $7) considerring the face value goes up $4 for each set. Now I just need to acquire the 1999-2002 silver proof sets (might take a while, over $300 for 1999 is a little steep) and I'll be in good shape. Eventually I might try to get the mint sets from 1988 (year after I was born) until 2006 along with proof/prestige proof/silver proof sets from 1987 until 1998, too. I guess I also need a 1987 proof ASE (I have an unc.) and some 1987 AGEs (I have none of those, just 1 1/10 oz. 2006 AGE)
