Debuting sales are in for the United States Mint’s newly released 2012 Proof Set. The bureau on Tuesday reported that collectors ordered 243,494 between its launch on Monday, May 7, through to Monday, May 14.
Priced at $31.95 for a third straight year, the annual offering is expected to eventually attain the highest sales total of any 2012-dated collector product offered by the U.S. Mint. With a single week now under its belt, the set already holds the second spot as it tracks immediately behind the 2012-W Proof American Silver Eagle with its one month total of 367,276.
But the sales debut again highlights a recent trend of slower starts for proof sets that have culminated into lower ending sales. The following table of opening and ending figures for recent issues underlines that trend.
US Mint 2007-2012 Proof Set Sales Debut Figures
| Issue Price |
Coins | Issue Date |
Debut Sales Date |
Debut Sales | Ending Sales | |
| 2012 Proof Set | $31.95 | 14 | May 7, 2012 | May 14, 2012 | 243,494 |
Still on Sale (243,494) |
| 2011 Proof Set | $31.95 | 14 | January 11, 2011 | January 16, 2011 | 253,144 |
Still on Sale (1,076,856) |
| 2010 Proof Set | $31.95 | 14 | July 22, 2010 |
July 25, 2010 |
296,379 | 1,103,950 |
| 2009 Proof Set | $29.95 | 18 | June 1, 2009 |
June 7, 2009 |
437,178 | 1,477,967 |
| 2008 Proof Set | $26.95 | 14 | June 24, 2008 |
July 6, 2008 |
424,402 | 1,405,674 |
| 2007 Proof Set | $26.95 | 14 | July 19, 2007 |
July 22, 2007 |
386,476 | 1,702,116 |
As indicated, the 2011-dated set remains available. It has often appeared this year on the U.S. Mint’s top-ten weekly seller’s list despite its length on sale. Its most recent weekly pick-up registered at 924.
This year’s set includes 14 proof coins, all of which are produced at the U.S. Mint facility in San Francisco and bear a denoting ‘S’ mintmark. The set includes collector versions of all the coins intended for circulation, including the 2012 America the Beautiful Quarters honoring:
- El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico
- Acadia National Park in Maine
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii
- Denali National Park in Alaska
It also features the 2012 Native American $1 coin with its one year reverse design depicting a Native American and horse, and it contains the 2012 Presidential $1 Coins honoring:
- Chester A. Arthur
- Grover Cleveland (first term),
- Benjamin Harrison, and
- Grover Cleveland (second term)
2011-2012 Proof Sets may be purchased directly through the U.S. Mint’s online store at:
Orders may also be placed using the Mint’s toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).
