Another round of United States Mint weekly sales figures uncovered the debut performance of the 2012 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set. The annual set is the third in the series to feature clad proof versions of America the Beautiful Quarters®.
Launched on Tuesday, January 17, the 2012 Quarters Proof Set kicked off with opening sales of 50,744 during the first seven days, maintaining a trend of slower starts since the first set debuted in 2010.
The decline in beginning demand also parallels that of corresponding year-dated silver sets in which the quarters are composed of 90% silver. The 2012 Quarters Silver Proof Set was issued on January 10, or one week earlier than the clad, for a price of $41.95.
This year’s quarters proof set has a price tag of $14.95, which is the same as the previous two. The following table highlights how the three compare in terms of their openings.
Debut Sales for 2010-2012 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Sets
| Year | Issued | Debut Sales | Latest Sales* | Opening Price |
| 2010 Quarters Proof Set | May 13 | 75,558 Over 4 Days | 276,335 | $14.95 |
| 2011 Quarters Proof Set | March 17 | 53,944 Over 4 Days | 141,165 | $14.95 |
| 2012 Quarters Proof Set | January 17 | 50,744 Over 7 Days | 50,744 | $14.95 |
*Latest sales as of Monday, January 23, 2012.
Each set has a long period of availability, which may be one factor in their slower starts. The 2010 ATB Quarters Proof Set went off sale in December 2011. If the United States Mint follows the same pattern, the 2011 ATB Quarters Proof Set will be available through December 2012 and this year’s set on sale until December 2013. (United States Mint annual sets tend to get healthy sales bumps toward the end of each year as they are popular items for holiday gifts.) As the Latest Sales column above indicates, eventual sales are likely to at least triple that of the opening numbers.
The clad composition of each of the proof quarters is the same as the circulating versions (8.33% nickel with the remaining copper). The major difference between the coins is the finish, with the proofs having what is often described as sharp reliefs and mirror-like backgrounds. Also contrasting is the mint marks. The proof coins are minted in San Francisco and feature a "S" mint mark while circulating quarters are produced in either Denver or Philadelphia and will have the resulting "D" or P" mint marks.
For reference, the listing of quarters within each of the annual sets is provided below.
America the Beautiful Quarters in 2010-2012 Proof Sets
| 1st Year | 2nd Year | 3rd Year |
| 2010-S Hot Springs National Park Quarter (AR) | 2011-S Gettysburg National Military Park Quarter (PA) | 2012-S El Yunque National Forest Quarter (PR) |
| 2010-S Yellowstone National Park Quarter (WY) | 2011-S Glacier National Park Quarter (MT) | 2012-S Chaco Culture National Historical Park Quarter (NM) |
| 2010-S Yosemite National Park Quarter (CA) | 2011-S Olympic National Park Quarter (WA) | 2012-S Acadia National Park Quarter (ME) |
| 2010-S Grand Canyon National Park Quarter (AZ) | 2011-S Vicksburg National Military Park Quarter (MS) | 2012-S Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Quarter (HI) |
| 2010-S Mount Hood National Forest Quarter (OR) | 2011-S Chickasaw National Recreation Area Quarter (OK) | 2012-S Denali National Park Quarter (AK) |
Collectors can purchase the 2011-2012 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Sets from the United States Mint at its website www.usmint.gov/catalog, or by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).