The First Decade of S Mint Proof Coins (2024)

FAQs

Are proof coin sets worth money? ›

Across the board, proof sets with choice coins enjoy premiums. Cameo proofs were relatively scarce before 1976 and thus sets predating that period which contain cameo proof coins are also worth premiums above typical market values.

Proof coins and MS-70 coins are considered higher quality than other circulating coins. Proof coins are made using a special process that yields an attractive finish with greater detail. MS-70 coins are also high-quality coins, but they are not considered as perfect as proof coins.

Ever since 1817, the U.S. Mint has been making proof coins. Even though in the 1800's the idea of a proof coin was the same, the process of making one was different than today. Proofs from pre-1900 still featured frosted devices, but they were not quite as high - quality as today's coins.

The 2010 Proof Set has 14 coins, and comes with the original displays, box, and COA.

The lowest produced silver proof sets, and therefore, the most valuable were minted in 1956 and earlier. The lowest mintage silver proof set produced was in the inaugural year of 1936, with a production run of only 3,837.

Once the Mint stops selling them then that's it, no more sets. So, for some reason the Mint stopped selling the 2012 set about nine months earlier than most sets. This caused the demand for the sets to jump up, which also exploded the price of the sets.

Proof Coins: Are the finest quality of coin produced by the United States Mint. The term "proof" refers to the coin's finish.

For a coin to achieve a perfect score of 70 it must have “no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification.” Basically, it's the perfect coin. A perfect proof coin would be graded “PF 70”, a circulating coin would be “MS 70” and an uncirculated (non-proof) coin would be “SP 70”.

If you are looking to buy coins purely for investment, then the more cost-effective Bullion coins could be your best bet. However, if you are looking to pay a little more for a scarcer and high quality coin as a collector, you may decide on a Proof coin or set.

Appearance. Proof coins are struck twice instead of just once like regular coins, but this one extra strike gives the coins a much shinier, clean-looking finish and makes the intricate details of the design pop. Most proofs can be identified by their mirror-like background.

Can you sell proof coins? ›

A dealer will be a quick way to sell a proof coin, but will do so at a lower rate than a private collector might. A dealer will only be looking to sell the coin on of course, and does not take any of the enjoyment a collector will in owning a coin.

The first proof sets through 1964 were minted at the Philadelphia Mint. There were two official releases in 1942: one regular five coin set and a set including a silver wartime nickel. United States currency was debased beginning in 1965, but the sets continued under the name United States Mint Proof Set.

The mintages of these coins are always a fraction of what is produced for bullion. Oftentimes, the Mint will set a production limit or only produce them for a certain period of time. These proofs are intended for collectors and trade at a much higher premium above the spot price of gold.

Value: Proof coins are much more expensive than their uncirculated counterparts. Uncirculated coin prices also depend on the price of gold or silver. Rarity: There are fewer proof coins minted than uncirculated, so they can be challenging to acquire.

Proof sets contain coins that are specially struck on polished dies, attaining a mirror-like finish. Mint sets contain regular coins that are uncirculated. Modern proof sets have been issued since 1936; uncirculated mint sets have been issued since 1947.

Q: What is the difference between a Proof set and a Mint set? A: A Proof set consists of specially manufactured specimen coins of brilliant finish, high relief, and exquisite detail. A Mint set consists of Uncirculated coins issued annually by the U.S. Mint, assembled from select early strikes.

2009-S US Mint Clad Proof Coin Set

The total face value of the coins is $7.19.

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1980-S Proof Set is Worth $8.07 or more. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins.

Sales of the 9–coin 1999 Proof Set, which went on sale on May 21, 1999, have reached 2,379,870 sets, or 95 percent of the estimated total production of 2.5 million sets.

Which is the best coin mint in the world? ›

The Royal Mint has the vision “to be recognized as the best mint in the world,” and the high quality of its collectible and bullion coins attests to this vision.

Ohio quarters marked with an S (produced in San Francisco) can carry the highest value at $15. Of the less-minted states listed above, only a few are listed among the most valuable. A mint-condition Oklahoma or New Mexico quarter marked with an S could be worth up to $10.

Britannia, The World's Most Visually Secure Bullion Coin | The Royal Mint.

Slabs are tools, not substitutes for your own judgment. It's entirely possible that an unslabbed coin is of sufficient quality to be slabbed — or, more importantly, to be worth purchasing. My recommendation is if you are confident that a coin is truly all it seems to be, then you can feel good about buying it raw.

The 1994 and 1996 silver eagles are the most valuable and popular of the silver eagles, but don't overlook the 1997 and 1995 silver eagles, which have the third- and fourth-lowest production levels, respectively.

It established grading tiers of, in descending order of preservation, Mint State, About Uncirculated, Extremely Fine, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good and About Good. Most numismatists, as well as third-party grading services, also use two other descriptors for the lowest grades, Fair and Poor.

Final verdict: circulated vs uncirculated coins

If this is your goal, then your main aim should be to purchase uncirculated coins. This is because uncirculated coins will always hold the highest value, and will likely increase in value over time.

The Pros of Investing in Proof 70 Coins

Their value tends to increase over time due to their rarity and the high quality of their metal composition. Proof 70 coins are also relatively easy to store and transport, making them an attractive option for diversifying their investment portfolio.

Coinoscope is a visual search engine for coins. Coinoscope makes coin recognition easy - just snap a picture of a coin with your phone camera and the app will show you a list of similar coins. Click on the coin to see additional information in the web browser of your phone.

Can a proof coin be circulated? ›

This type of coin is rare, as they never go into circulation and are made using a special method called burnishing, resulting in a finish that offers protection and has a soft matte look. One of the most popular uncirculated coins is the American Eagle silver coin.

1971 Kennedy Half Dollar Value

According to the NGC Price Guide, as of June 2023, a Kennedy Half Dollar from 1971 in circulated condition is worth between $0.60 and $0.75. However, on the open market 1971 Half Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $2050.

For high-value coins, use hard plastic holders. Professional coin grading services use sealed holders called slabs to protect authenticated and graded coins. Use acid-free cardboard and plastic holders free from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Acid and PVC can ruin a coin's surface.

Proof coins look completely different from brilliant uncirculated ones. The image is frosted and the background is mirror-like, so the contrast is dramatic. You can touch these coins also if you wish, but, if you do so, make doubly sure that you get any fingerprints or dirt off.

In 1968, proof coin production moved from the Philadelphia Mint to San Francisco and proof coins gained the “S” mint mark. The West Point Bullion Depository made circulating pennies from 1973 to 1986 and circulating quarters in 1976 to 1979.

Because of a coin shortage during the mid-1960s, the US Mint did not release US Mint and Proof Sets from 1965-1967. Instead, they released Special Mint Sets featuring extra-high-quality Uncirculated coins during those years.

69. Mint State 69. MS69. Coin has a sharp strike with full original luster, with no more than two small non-detracting contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks are visible.

An MS70 rating doesn't automatically mean that coin is highly valuable or rare. It's simply an indication of a coin's condition which only partially influences its value. A coin's overall worth is determined by a variety of factors including purity, demand, and the current spot price of gold and silver.

A coin graded MS-67 has original luster and normal strike for date and mint. May have three or four very small contact marks and one more noticeable but not detracting mark. On comparable coins, one or two small single hairlines may show, or one or two minor scuff marks or flaws may be present.

Do U.S. Mint proof sets increase in value? ›

Because proof coins are more rare and produced in smaller numbers with a higher level of quality control, you can expect these coins to hold and increase in value.

The United States Mint Proof Set, commonly known as the Proof Set in the United States, is a set of proof coins sold by the United States Mint. The proof set is popular with coin collectors as it is an affordable way to collect examples of United States coinage in proof condition.

Special Qualities are Why 1999 Silver Proof Set Values are so High. Popularity of the 50 State Quarters is a huge underpinning to value of 1999 proof sets. Many new collectors took up collecting the coins as a set. 1999 represents the first year of issue and that itself is a popular collecting theme.

Proof coins are the highest quality coins produced by mints across the world. Their unrivalled finish and intricate designs make them particularly admired by collectors, and in terms of craftmanship and attention to detail, they are quite literally worth their weight in gold.

If you're in the market for the highest quality bullion, silver proof coins are a great place to start. The United States Mint says on their website that proof coins are “the finest quality of coin produced.” This is thanks to a specialized minting process that creates higher definition and luster.

Having a variety of U.S. coins, precious metals like gold bullion coins, and classic gold coins like the double eagle can improve your portfolio's diversity. Rare-coin collecting is not ideal for making short-term gains.

This 3-piece proof set is worth at least its weight in silver. The silver melt value for this set is $12.91 as of June 12, 2023. This melt value is calculated from the current silver spot price of $24.00 per ounce. The 1976 S silver 3-piece proof set in its original government packaging is worth around $30.

The mintages of these coins are always a fraction of what is produced for bullion. Oftentimes, the Mint will set a production limit or only produce them for a certain period of time. These proofs are intended for collectors and trade at a much higher premium above the spot price of gold.

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1981-S Proof Set (Type 2 - Clear S Variety) is Worth $322 or more.

What years did the mint make proof sets? ›

United States Mint Proof Set

The Mint packages the specially prepared coins in hard plastic cases meant for long-term preservation. All releases from 1936 to 1972 included the cent, nickel, dime, quarter, and half dollar from that year.

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1978-S Proof Set is Worth $11 or more. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins.

The proof set contained six coins of $1.91 in face value: the one cent, the five cent, the ten cent, the 25 cent, the 50 cent and the one dollar coins. The US Mint sold the 1975 proof sets initially for $7.00 each.