U.S. Mint sales of the 2012-S American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Proof Set from San Francisco ended last Thursday, July 5, 2012. An ending sales figure published on the set’s product page the following day listed the total number sold at 251,302.
With roughly a quarter of a million purchased, thousands will make their way into the secondary market. In fact, some appeared for "pre-sale" on sites like eBay even before the proof set went on sale on June 7, 2012. Many more have been listed since, and there have been some sizable premiums paid.
Set Premiums in Secondary Market
Through its entire four-week sales window ending on July 5, 2012, the 2012-S Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set was priced by the U.S. Mint at $149.95. Secondary market buyers have shelled out more than that.
A look at successful eBay auctions over the last month finds premiums of 12% to 66%. $194 was the average price paid while the proof set was still available from the Mint.
One reason for paying more in the secondary market could be attributed to order positioning. U.S. Mint customers who placed their orders first will get them soonest. The bureau has indicted that shipments will begin around July 27 and continue through mid-October. Thus, if a seller on eBay indicates their orders were among the first received, a bidder may have been willing to pay more to insure faster receipt. It could also entitle them to special grading opportunities such as a First Strike designation.
Current auctions on eBay are holding at about the same price points. Most bidders have been be able to get a Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set for a bit under $200. Those looking to buy immediately will pay more with the cheapest Buy It Now prices around $240.
Only time will tell if the secondary market premiums hold. With a likely ending mintage close to 250,000 after returns and cancellations trim the last reported sales total, many more will undoubtedly be offered for re-sale.
Each proof set includes one 2012-S Proof American Silver Eagle and one 2012-S Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle, both bearing the San Francisco ‘S’ mint mark. The reverse proof has a mirror-like design against a frosted background. That is the opposite of the standard proof Silver Eagle issued by the U.S. Mint annually since 1986.
I bought 4 sets on the first day and 2 sets the last day
Whats up with first release or early release designation by NGC dose anyone know the rules for the 2012-S American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Proof Set? Thanks.
first strike is a scam to get more of your money
In response to the comment made by Bill on July 10,2012
You are so so right
Joe, NGC has a special label for set, see their site:
To honor this special release, NGC is offering a unique San Francisco Mint label. All submissions will be automatically encapsulated with this new label.
all sets sent to pcgs or ngc may have to be sent in unopened mint shipping box.
Thanks steve1942 I have the answer to my ? from the NGC site. They say to submit them raw in the capsules by the end of August to get early releases or first releases designation. You also can get the new label or blue label & brown label all the same price. No early or first releases on brown label.
Does anyone else have concerns sending an unopened box to the grading companies? There’s nothing to stop them from switching out coins. I would love to set them up if you know what I’m saying. I’m with Bill on the “scam” thing!!!
I have been collecting my NGC Silver Eagles since 1986. That’s the way I like to collect them. They’re easier to store if you have a lot of them. I have a lot of multiples.
I have been collecting my NGC Silver Eagles since 1986. That’s the way I like to collect them. They’re easier to store if you have a lot of them.
@bill – the fact is with today’s advancement in the minting process a lot of coins are graded ‘perfect’. The first strike, early release, first releases, etc are just designations that differentiate a perfect coin from another perfect coin. If you really think those designations are a scam you should not collect graded coins. Bottom line – collectors are paying more for these labels because it adds to the rarity and therefore value – to a another collector of course. Look at the price range for all the differently labeled 25th Anniv Sets. I buy and sell so I welcome… Read more »
@steve1942 @ joe
Write exactly what type of special label you want on the invoice you submit to NGC.
@Jack – If I thought the grading company was up to no good I wouldn’t even send them a lincoln cent. I would be more worried about the carrier service than anything. Regardless, you dont need to send them the unopened box. That only applies when one or more coins in the set are sold individually as well as with the set. E.g 2011 W Silver Eagle. Sold in the 25th Anniv set and also individually. In the case of the San Fransico Set we are getting for 2012 – there are no other 2012 S Silver Eagles being sold… Read more »
I have to correct myself I been sending my Silver Eagles to NGC for certification sense 1987 thats when they started. I also buy them already certified if the price is right. Rich I back you up 100%. I have received my share of proof & mintstate 70″s from NGC.
Rich, thanks for the reply but I do not (or will I ever) have any graded coins in my collection. I think it takes the fun out of it. To have your coin entombed in a plastic tomb is a little weird(kinda like Vlad Lenin lol). You cant touch it, hold it, or even view it without the plastic getting in the way. To pay someone else to say, “boy your coin sure is shiny” is a scam! Sure your coin may be worth more than one that is not graded but you had to pay more to get it… Read more »
wanted to add my 2 cents on the Early Release/First Strike label. Nobody knows, included the U.S. Mint, which coin is minted 1st, 2nd, or last. The Mint doesn’t track in which order the coins come off the press. This is stated in the lawsuit brought against NGC. And in most instances, the Mint already has huge numbers already minted and ready for shipping when the coins are released for sale. The early release/first strike is a marketing ploy by the grading companies. It is based solely on getting coins to the grading companies in their specified time frame. And… Read more »
To be perhaps the lone one to back a grading company, chew on this: The price of a coin varies greatly based on the grade. The grading companies of NGC and PCGS provide grading service. They are the ones that have risen to the top. Others have tried and failed. Failed because we the public have judged then as not good enough. With NGC 3 certified “Graders” are used to check each coin. The least grade of the 3 is the one used on the coin. So if a coin sent from the Mint for grading and is given by… Read more »
Is it correct to say that as long as I keep them in their original unopened box and I get my sets in the early batch sent out that I can always send them in later, lets say 1 year from now to get them graded as First Release? Is this just with PCGS?
Just asking, probably will not do this though.
To Jeff and others: I did also want to comment on Coin Labeling. You are correct in saying that the Label adds no value to the coin. The Mint does not track the order that coins come out of the Mint and the “First Strike, Early Release, etc” only state that the coin was sent to the Grader within the First 30 Days of issue! To ass/u/me that this is a sharper strike or from a newer die is not a good assumption. Most collector coins for the entire year are run within one week and are done months in… Read more »
Good stuff RonnieBGood.
Mike, Yes.
Only PCGS will Grade First Release beyond 30 days by date from unopened boxes.
Thanks RonnieBGood
I bought mine from the mint one hour before the deadline—–am now waiting for them to show up—-until they do, I will start filling in some other 2012 issues and treat myself to some other Silver Eagles from other years——Sounds alittle paranoid out there——-I wonder if I resent all mt Eagles from ’86 on, would I receive a ’70 instead of ’69——-to my eyes, ’69 and ’70’s look exactly the same——so—–when these 2012’s come in from the mint—–do I not or do I do open the case——that is the question——–Skip
I ordered one set the first day. I received them last week, about Wednesday of the last week in July. When I opened the undamaged box, I immediately noticed without using a loupe that the reverse proof had a gouge in the sun with a scratch leading to the edge. This was on the coin obtainable only by buying the set. Talk about disappointment. I have written the mint and will send pictures but I believe the Mint should replace that coin. There was no limit on ordering, so ‘extra’ coins must exist for the Mint to sell to AP… Read more »
I have a set of these reverse proof San Francisco dollars. Thinking of sending
them in for grading.
What difference does first release or early release have to do with anything?
I just ordered within the time frame, got my coins, so now what?
Bob Myers