What interests you in US Proof sets?

Cameo CC

What are the reasons collectors buy US Proof Sets?

Your comments would help me.

Todd

sliderider

To commemorate anniversaries mostly, I would imagine. Some buy them to cherrypick nice coins for slabbing. I honestly don't know what people see in them if they aren't PQ. Except for the earliest years, most are overproduced and don't appreciate very well. The nicest ones usually get cracked out as soon as they hit the streets, so most of the ones out there are junk.

MadMarty

Who in their right mind would buy proof sets! It's modern junk!!

cladking

I'm not the biggest fan of proof sets but they do have some things going for them.
Besides the things like cameos and varieties which might get any numismatist drool-
ing they also are all "S" minted now days. Many people will consider this third (or 4th)
mint mark to be an integral part of a complete date/ mint mark set. While the sets were
made in large numbers, there are far fewer in existence than most realize. These sets
have been getting busted up and the contents spent for decades. Frequently the coins
will be mishandled after being removed from the sets or will tarnish even in the intact
sets.

They also are very high quality. Many people are put off by the typical condition of the
uncirculated coins and want something that is attractive. These fit the bill for most peo-
ple.

The circulation strike coins can be collected from circulation but there is no reasonable
chance of finding all the proof coins in circulation even for the most common which is the
quarter. This means collectors have to buy the sets.

There is a big draw down of these sets to supply the coins for the denominational sets.
The supply mostly comes from estate sales and the like so eventually the supply will drop
enough to not supply this market. While much of the demand may be speculative so the
sets will never be rare, they still could enjoy substantial price increases as the demand
continues relentlessly upward .

smselvek

<< <i>Who in their right mind would buy proof sets! It's modern junk!! >>



I (in my right mind) buy proof sets. I buy them because I like to. I'm not buying them to get rich (I use the stock market for that), but instead so I can pass them on to my grandkids (someday, maybe). The set will at some time be a nice record of history.

foodude

Who in their right mind would buy proof sets! It's modern junk!!

And people wonder why he's called "Mad" Marty

Don't let him fool you, he's just trying to throw people off so he can buy more of them

CarlWohlforth

Cameo proof coins look great. The contrast between the devices and fields really shows off the designs. I also like the details one can see on a proof coin because the strike is usually so good.

tjkillian

Proof coins are cool because they are typically well-struck. Often they are cheaper than their mintstate counter parts. I have an 1882 half dollar that is much cheaper than if it were mintstate. I've only seen a couple of complete proof sets (without gold) in my life. I saw an 1861 proof set that Legend had, but she wanted $110k for it, way too much for me. Currently I have only four 19th century proof coins and they are all well-struck and look super cool.

Still, I do prefer mintstate as they have LUSTER!!

Tom

kranky

What interests me is that it's a way to get high-quality, attractive coins (I'm not that interested in the grade). The cameo has great eye appeal. I have no delusions that they are "investments".

coinguy89

My father says that he does it cause he thinks the quality of the coins is the best available, and he likes having the best quality of anything.

rainbowroosie

I have sets of roosies and washingtons in proof with rainbows.....a cameo rainbow is a sight to behold!!!!....and very tough to find!!!

aem4162

<< <i>Who in their right mind would buy proof sets! It's modern junk!! >>



one person's junk is another person's treasure. i'm in my right mind and buy them because they're beautiful coins, the fields are as deep as can be, and the frosting makes the image look like satin. *I* love them.

100proof1957

Birth year sets are cool

Linky

The SHQ program got me started again !

Coins and fast cars are kinda like drugs,hard to stay away from once you have been hooked.

Dog97

The only reason I fool with any Modern stuff is because my kid was born in 1997 so I collect 1997 material as a side collection. I have a few Proof Sets just to have an example of the Mint's products from 1997.

Aethelred

<< <i>The only reason I fool with any Modern stuff is because my kid was born in 1997 so I collect 1997 material as a side collection. I have a few Proof Sets just to have an example of the Mint's products from 1997. >>



I also collect 1997 stuff because that is when my son was born.

I don't care for modern sets, but I do enjoy finding pre 1968 sets with cameo coins in them. One of my goals in life is to make a 1959 DCAM half dollar.

BTW - I broke this out of a set just this week:

Gemini

I bought a 1941 proof set because it is my birth year and it's nice to have something old...hey! what am I saying.

Russ

<< <i>Who in their right mind would buy proof sets! It's modern junk!! >>



So, Marty, does this mean I no longer have to worry about you sniping me and paying utterly stupid money just because you don't want to let me have anything?

Russ, NCNE

icollect

<< <i>My father says that he does it cause he thinks the quality of the coins is the best available, and he likes having the best quality of anything. >>


I would tell the same reason. Beside that, I think they are beautiful coins too.

Myqqy

Not only are proof coins beautful, and full of opportunity for chasing cameos or varieties.... but you can get into them regardless of your budget. You can get into sets like Laura has, or you can spend $10 on a nice looking modern set......

nankraut

madmarty said: Who in their right mind would buy proof sets! It's modern junk!!
Gee, when I broke the bank and bought my 1936 PCGS PR65 matched set last year, I didn't think of it as "modern Junk"

3144dec

Up until this year, I was not a heavy collector of coins. The proof sets are what interest me because of their beauty. I want to keep adding to my collection until I have them all. I have bought multiple sets of the same year in some cases so that I can break some of the sets up. I have at times paid more for most sets than they are worth but demand will determine worth and there is not a lack of bidders for proof sets. Proof sets bought from 1999 to 2003 are demanding prices 50 to 100% higher than their purchase cost so don't tell me they are not an investment. I purchased two of the gold proof eagle sets this year because I do believe that it is a good investment. If there are any of you who have pre 1959 proof sets that want to get rid of them, I will gladly take them off of your hands.

ConstellatioCollector

I guess "habit". I should stop!

LikeMike

I collected mostly lincolns in the 60's when I was young and picked up coins from circulation over the years but it wasn't until last year when I bought my first proof coin, that got me hooked on this great hobby. I now have a run of sets from 57(birth year) to present. I have since started on mint sets and now I can see the beauty in both. I have slabbed and raw and just having fun watching my collection grow. Mike