Available today, May 21, is the 2012 U.S. Mint Uncirculated Coin Set. Sales of the 2012 U.S. Mint Set began at 12:00 noon ET with pricing at $27.95, which is $4 less than similar annual sets issued in the two previous years.
As has been the case since 2010, this year’s set features a total of 28 uncirculated coins. 14 of them are produced at the Denver Mint with the other 14 originating from the Philadelphia Mint — the same U.S. Mint facilities responsible for producing America’s circulating coinage.
Unlike the coins found in pocket change, however, those within the U.S. Mint Set are made specifically for coin collectors. Although they do not have the satin finish once used by the bureau on sets produced between 2005 and 2010, the uncirculated coins are struck with greater force to produce more detail.
Uncirculated Coins within US Mint Set
The 28 uncirculated coins are separated into two folders — a red-themed folder with the 14 coins minted in Denver and a blue-themed folder with the 14 coins struck in Philadelphia.
Specifically, within the U.S. Mint Set are the:
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2012 P&D Presidential $1 Coins depicting Presidents Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland (1st term), Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland (2nd term)
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2012 P&D Native American $1 Coin with the reverse design showcasing a Native American and horse, representing the theme of "Trade Routes in the 17th Century"
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2012 P&D Kennedy Half Dollars
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2012 P&D America the Beautiful Quarters celebrating El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico, Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, Acadia National Park in Maine, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, and Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska
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2012 P&D Roosevelt Dimes
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2012 P&D Jefferson Nickels
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2012 P&D Lincoln Cents
The legal or face value of the uncirculated coins total to $13.82, which is a bit under half of the set’s $27.95 price.
Popularity of US Mint Sets
U.S. Mint Sets are one of the bureau’s most popular numismatic products, which is highlighted by the sales levels each release achieves. During the first week alone, it is common for more than 200,000 to be sold.
Last year’s set, which remains on sale for $31.95, has current sales of 522,958 as of May 14.
How to Order Uncirculated Coin Sets
Customers wanting to purchase the U.S. Mint Uncirculated Coin Set may order directly from the United States Mint website located here, or call toll-free at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
There are no household order limits. The bureau does assess a shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per domestic order.
Remaining Annual Sets from US Mint
With this latest release, just one major or core annual set remains to be released by the Mint this year, and that is the Silver Proof Set.
This set is currently scheduled with a release date of June 4. It will include 14 coins in total, with seven of them composed of 90% silver — the five America the Beautiful Quarters and the dime and half-dollar. Coins in the Silver Proof Set are struck in San Francisco in proof qualities that offer sharp details and mirrored backgrounds.
The other core set released was the 2012 Proof Set which debuted on May 7.
