A number of U.S. Mint products went off sale on Dec. 30 and 31. They included two core annual sets from 2014 that, according to Mint sales figures, now have the lowest mintages in more than five decades.
Just a few years ago, it was often cheaper to buy proof and mint sets after the U.S. Mint stopped selling them. In a turnaround, more are not only holding their values but some of the mintage weak issues are actually driving sharp premiums.
2014 Proof Set
The 2014 Proof Set went on sale Mar. 25, 2014 for $31.95. Each set has 14 proof quality coins struck at the San Francisco Mint. Coins of the set include the cent, nickel, dime, five America the Beautiful Quarters, half-dollar, and the year’s five $1 coins.
Last reported U.S. Mint sales figures have the 2014 Proof Set at 714,661, the lowest total since the 1956 Proof Set ended at 669,384.
The 2012-dated set previously held that distinction with sales of 794,002. Issued at $31.95, this set has realized secondary market prices in the $100-$115 range.
US Mint Sales of 2008 – 2014 Proof Sets
| Issue Price | Coins | Issue Date | Ending Sales | |
| 2014 Set | $31.95 | 14 | Mar. 25, 2014 | 714,661 |
| 2013 Set | $31.95 | 14 | Mar. 28, 2013 | 802,460 |
| 2012 Set | $31.95 | 14 | May 7, 2012 | 794,002 |
| 2011 Set | $31.95 | 14 | Jan. 11, 2011 | 1,098,835 |
| 2010 Set | $31.95 | 14 | July 22, 2010 | 1,103,950 |
| 2009 Set | $29.95 | 18 | June 1, 2009 | 1,477,967 |
| 2008 Set | $26.95 | 14 | June 24, 2008 | 1,405,674 |
2014 Mint Set
The 2014 Mint Set went on sale May 13, 2014 for $27.95. Each set has 28 uncirculated quality coins with 14 struck at the Denver Mint and 14 struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Coins of the set include pairs of the cent, nickel, dime, five America the Beautiful Quarters, half-dollar and the year’s five $1 coins.
The uncirculated 2014 Mint Set has sales of 345,813, the lowest level since the 1961 Mint Set posted sales of 223,704.
The 2013-dated set previously held that distinction with sales of 376,844, and before it the set from 2012 at 392,224. In searching for sets from 2012, they’re selling from two to four times their issue price.
US Mint Sales of 2008 – 2015 Mint Sets
| Issue Price | Coins | Issue Date | Ending Sales | |
| 2014 Set | $27.95 | 28 | May 13, 2014 | 345,813 |
| 2013 Set | $27.95 | 28 | June 4, 2013 | 376,844 |
| 2012 Set | $27.95 | 28 | May 21, 2012 | 392,224 |
| 2011 Set | $31.95 | 28 | February 8, 2011 | 533,529 |
| 2010 Set | $31.95 | 28 | July 15, 2010 | 583,912 |
| 2009 Set | $27.95 | 36 | October 1, 2009 | 774,844 |
| 2008 Set | $22.95 | 28 | July 30, 2008 | 745,464 |
U.S. Mint figures as of Jan. 10, 2016 have sales of the 2015 Proof Set at 622,433 and those of the 2015 Mint Set at 293,636. The Mint has not yet announced release dates for this year’s editions.
Someone please explain this to me. The 2013 mint sets had a lower mintage than the 2012’s, but the 2012’s are fetching a huge premium. The 2012 clad proof sets are fetching an enormous premium and the mintage is nearly 80,000 less than the 2014’s that you can pick up for $4 less than the mint was charging.
why 2012 mint clad proof set price so high in secondary market? just because the lowest mintage? so how about 2014 mint clad proof set the lowest mintage now!