If you really want to know how many set builders there are that don't care about slabbed coins, the 83 coins are a good indicator. The P & D souvenir sets routinely sell for $75+ as a pair, and the aftermarket sets (coinworld and the like) hover between $35-$45. No gem four figure cameo coins in these lots.
For those thinking the high prices for souvenir sets can be explained by those seeking gems, this isn't really true. The regular mint sets are made from new dies under increased tonnage and the coins are handled more carefully. This doesn't really apply to coins for the souvenir sets. Coins are apparently just selected from normal production. They do tend to be from newer dies and they do at least escape exposure to most of the automated handling equipment, but they are otherwise normal production.
The three primary reasons for the large premiums on the '83 sets is that some of these coins are extremely difficult to find anywhere else, some desire a complete run of mint sets (there are no regular mint sets for this year), and the mintages of these sets are quite low.
Comments
People should be a little more careful about starting such nonsense.
...and bringing them back after they start sinking is even worse...
Souvenir sets (ebay)
Another pair
One more
I'd say in the near term at least, the barometer is rising.
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
seeking gems, this isn't really true. The regular mint sets are made from new
dies under increased tonnage and the coins are handled more carefully. This
doesn't really apply to coins for the souvenir sets. Coins are apparently just
selected from normal production. They do tend to be from newer dies and they
do at least escape exposure to most of the automated handling equipment, but
they are otherwise normal production.
The three primary reasons for the large premiums on the '83 sets is that some of
these coins are extremely difficult to find anywhere else, some desire a complete
run of mint sets (there are no regular mint sets for this year), and the mintages of
these sets are quite low.