Availability of the 2013 Limited Edition Silver Proof Set ended Thursday, May 1, 2014 when the United States Mint tagged the product as "sold out." U.S. Mint reporting last had sales of it at 48,074 of the 50,000 limit*.
This set is one of the Mint’s premier products with extra attention and expense in the packaging to show off the 8 proof coins. There are pros and cons with the presentation, but more about that later.
Released on Dec. 12, 2013 and priced at $139.95, the set includes the 99.9% pure 2013-W Proof Silver Eagle and the 90% silver 2013-S Kennedy half-dollar, five 2013-S America the Beautiful Quarters, and the 2013-S Roosevelt dime.
Many who purchased this set knew they could get the same silver coins for about $31 less by combining other U.S. Mint products that also had them. But those products lack the visual pop and premier feel of the Limited Edition Silver Proof Set. And now, let’s talk a bit about that.
First, let me premise everything by stating I’m not super fond of presentation cases unless I’m giving a coin as a gift. My choice would be to order coins without the extra fixings. With that said, the 8 silver coins contrasted within the packaging of the 2013 Limited Edition Silver Proof Set is pretty impressive. I was happy I bought it.
For those who didn’t order one, the proof coins are in a single protective lens that’s within a flip-open presentation case. That case is held inside an outer box which itself is placed in a sturdy sleeve. These are all high-quality items.
If you leave the case out for easy viewing, everything is great. But there are downsides in storing these premiere products with the cool cases — they take more space in your safe and you’ll spend some unwrapping time in getting to your coins. As the years go by and you get more, it becomes somewhat of a job to pull your collection out and enjoy it.
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Packaging for this year’s Limited Edition Silver Proof Set is different than when the first one debuted in 2012. The Mint notes it was improved to "better secure the coins in the set and protect the lenses." Both are true. To protect the lens, a saran wrap-like plastic covers the front and back. You’ll want to peel these off as they really detract from the wow factor.
The lens is easy to open, perhaps too easy for some. Normally I don’t go there but, and I assume my set was an exception, there were smudges on the back of the lens that looked terrible. At first I thought they came from glue on the wrapping but soon realized they were inside. Fortunately, they wiped away easily. The coins, by the way, popped even more when looking at them without the lens in the way.
One last note… The 2013 Limited Edition Silver Proof Set included a small piece a paper along with a standard Certificate of Authenticity. It noted that any gray smudges on the sleeve or box can be wiped clean easily with a soft dry cloth or tissue, adding that it was not a defect and the "product does not need to be returned for replacement for this condition."
*This article originally listed set sales at 48,111. It was changed to 47,971 based on final U.S. Mint sales figures (unaudited).
Is it worth to buy it? I collected Legacy sets, but I found out the value of the set dropping ,:(
Worth buying?…well, the 2012 set sold out (apples to oranges, I know) and it’s now selling on eBay for $330 – $400. This set is ‘second in the series’ and sold out as well. Might be something to consider.
Buy 3 burnished Silver Eagles it’s cheaper and worth more in the long run.
I received my set on Friday. Really nice EXCEPT for the smudge on the inside of the package. Terrible quality control. Not cool to pay a premium for packaging that I will have to open and attempt to clean.
Received a total of three sets. Each set had ‘smudges’. Two sets had them in the exact same places – the SAE of course.
Dear U.S. Mint:
Don’t tell me that I can wipe off smudges. Just don’t provide products that need additional cleaning or wiping in the first place.
Jim said it perfectly! The note from us mint saying to clean off smudges o’s ridiculous. Especially since smudges are on the inside. Mine is over the ASE as well.
I finally get it. ASE = American Smudged Eagle
WOW, I guess that means you have no problem licking the dirt off the top of a soda can, fresh out the vending machine too, right? I think I like the idea of dusting it off and providing my own QC. I’m the type a guy that would like to know an issue and taking care of it rather than waiting 2 – 3 years and WAAing about something I “had” control of in the first place! I have yet to not receive prompt polite informative service from the US Mint.
James, I’m not sure what your getting at. The smudges are on the inside of the case that we paid a premium to have. It is not intended to be opened. It’s a protective display case. So in your analogy, the dust would be inside your soda can. Mmm drink up!
The analogy is… it doesn’t matter if it’s inside or out. Big deal, its inside then. Did yall complain just to see your typing? Me, I would contact the manufacture. There is only a couple responsible for content of purchase, and the one who pays is usually first! Mmmm I complained goood!
$2.85 face value for $139?
$139 for $47.96 cents worth of silver?
Am I missing something here?
Cincinnatus, there is a numismatic value to coins such as these proofs found in the set that is higher than the face value or silver melt value. It has to do with rarity and desirability of the coins.
James, we are commenting on an article that specifically talks about the smudges that are found on the inside of the protective display case. The complaints to the mint have been made along with many sets being returned. That is why the mint started placing a little note in the packaging asking the customer, us, to clean the smudges off ourselves.
All of the coins in the set were available in much less expensive sets, the silver proof and eagle proof sets. The numismatic value of the coins should be identical. The difference is in the packaging. Is this a real or an artificial difference? I always thought it was the coin that was important and not the package that it came in.
Actually, the note was also included in the 2012 set as well, and has nothing to do with the inside packaging – it refers specifically to the outer packaging, which can get minor white smudges on it from handling, and are easily wiped away.
Both the silver proof eagles in the 2012 and 2013 limited edition sets are the
the same as the proof coins the the same years (2012 and 2013).
You, we are paying extra for the packaging.
why does the mint release a 2014 set in march of 2015 they will sell out and someone will probably make a profit. but my opinion is if they cant release a 2014 set in that year they shouldn’t sell it at all. the TV shows may even get a special label for them?. maybe they could make a couple 95 Ws for us.
first I will buy 5 sets and sell what ever I have to get mine free?. After my last comment I looked thru some US mint order forms one from 1979 I have clearly said by U.S. Legislations no orders received after November 23 are guaranteed. it goes on to say the mint will not ship any coin sets dated 1979 after December 31st?.