What does it mean that proof and mint set sales were the lowest in about 40 years? Anything?

kranky

CW reports that 2004 proof set sales were the lowest since 1960, and the 2004 mint set sales were the lowest since 1963. Any conclusions to be reached from this? I'm pretty surprised, figuring the two nickels would have attracted more interest.

Have all the people who got involved through the state quarter program decided to quit in the middle?
Could it be that people who buy in large quantities decided to buy fewer sets, while individual buyers maintained their level of buying?
Did price increases turn people off?
One-time fluke?

BigE

Maybe people are burnt out on moderns, they have lost some value recently it seems!------------BigE

DCAM

Is it "less sold" or "less made/minted"?

Does this mean the 2004 Silver Proof sets will outprice the "higher pop" 1999 Silver Proof sets?

cladking

They were taken off sale earlier than in recent years. This may be because they want an early
jump on 2005 production. The rate of sales may have been down a little also but they caught a
lot of people by surprise and the sets have been doing well in the secondary market. Collectible
moderns are apparently still doing fine.

fishcooker

The 2004 Silver sets ($37.95) are back again. Don't know if they are fresh or returns......

jdsinva

It means those of us that wait and buy all of our mint products towards the end of the year got screwed.

Jeff

clackamas

<< <i>It means those of us that wait and buy all of our mint products towards the end of the year got screwed.

Jeff >>



Pu in a subscription, that way you never miss out and you get the first sets, which seem to be better. I got 25 mint sets this year, I already sold 10 because they went up so much. The other 15 I have were for free .

Conder101

Lowest since 1960? What was the mntage? The 1960 was 260,485. I find it hard to believe the 2004 was that low. The previous "lowest since 1964", was I believe the 1986 at 1.15 million. And I would think it would give a good indication of the potential for the longterm outlook for the 2004 set. Short term will probably be higher though due to hype and temporary high demand as everyone tries to get one of these "surefire profit potential" sets.

Bochiman

What Cladking said.....

Right now, it is a transition stage......the sets would come out midyear or so and stay into the new year.
Now, they want to make even more money, so they increase the price and starting in '05, they will be releasing the sets months earlier.

To release them earlier requires taking off the current ones earlier. So, I believe that is why they ended how/when they did.
Unexpected end which can result in unexpected profit for those that bought them (from the last year or two there has been no reason to buy extras/early, so maybe we will get something like the 2001 sets )

tlhoy

They are talking about the 2004 BLUE BOX Proofs not the Silvers!

Glenn

mgoodm3

I think the number sold was in the 400 - 600k range.

Conder101

That would put it somewhere between the 62 and 63 sets.

Russ

<< <i>Lowest since 1960? What was the mntage? The 1960 was 260,485. >>



1960 proof set mintage was 1,691,602.

Russ, NCNE

Coin Finder

I think the US Mint is using this low production to boost sales going forward. We are mid point in the State Quater program. They are creating a demand and a "Buzz" to generate more and keep current customers in tune. They are great markerts these US mint people. HIgh demand and short supply makes news!

Tbig

BigGreek

Maybe the mint is charging too much money.

Bochiman

The Mint IS charging too much money but the combat to that is to drop the volume, make it a sell out.
So, next time, more people will order more AT the higher price.
Also, it creates that buzz that was mentioned.

GAT

My question in all of this is, which way will the 2004 Silver Proof Sets go, though the roof or into the basement? Another aspect to consider is, will the price increase for the silver sets dampen demand from the Mint?

Bochiman

2004 silver proof sets, imho, will not appreciate notably
Price increase will diminish some demand. Same with next year.
SQ collectors can get the silbers from just the 5pack of SQ sets now.

The cent, nickel, dime, half, dollar coins will still be enough, even diminished, to satisfy those collectors

Manorcourtman

The Modern dealer is making 120% profit on Mint sets and 120%+ on Clad Proof sets currently. Too bad all you anti-modern people didn't order Mint sets and Proof sets a couple of months ago. The poor uninformed masses haven't even discovered TPG grading services yet and are paying big money for "Modern Crap."