The 2012 Proof Coins: How They Got to Be Scarce and High Priced – Dave's Collectible Coins , America's Favorite Coin Shoppe (2024)

A Dave's Collectible Coins Article

  • January 11, 2017
  • Tags:Collectible Coin, Proof Coin, Rare Coin, U.S. Mint

The 2012 Proof Coins: How They Got to Be Scarce and High Priced – Dave's Collectible Coins , America's Favorite Coin Shoppe (1)Here-in lies one of those mysteries that we come across sometimes in coin collecting. Once in a while, the mintage numbers for a coin for a certain year in comparison to the price that that coin is being sold at just does not add up. The most recent time this happened was in 2012. This always causes us coin enthusiasts to scratch our heads in wonderment, and to try to predict when it will happen again so that we can be prepared for it.

The 2012 mintage numbers for the 2012 proof coinswas actually right smack dab in the same range as the mintage numbers for the year 2013 and the year 2014 both. However the cost for the 2012 proof coin set is substantially higher than the costs for the 2013 and 2014 sets. Why?

Let’s look at the numbers at work here:

2012 proof mintage numbers was right at 395,443

2013 proof mintage numbers was right at 419,720

2014 proof mintage numbers was right at 404,665

And for the clad mintage numbers:

2012 clad mintage numbers was right at 794,002

2013 clad mintage numbers was right at 802,460

2014 clad mintage numbers was right at 680,977

Here’s what I think happened that caused the prices to skyrocket for the 2012 coins, and for a dip to occur for the prices of the 2013 and the 2014 sets.The United States Mintended their sales for 2012 sets in early 2013 which strange because they usually run the sales of each set for an extra year. So, most coins get two years of sales from the U.S. Mint before the Mint stops selling them. Once the Mint stops selling them then that’s it, no more sets. So, for some reason the Mint stopped selling the 2012 set about nine months earlier than most sets. This caused the demand for the sets to jump up, which also exploded the price of the sets.

Conversely, major coin dealers and whole sale companies started gobbling up 2013 and 2014 sets, thinking that the Mint was going to do the same thing with the 2013 and 2014 sets that they did with the 2012 sets.

But they didn’t.

The United States Mint ran the 2013 and 2014 sets for the usual, typical, and totally predictable time period of two years. Now there was a surplus of the 2013 and the 2014 sets for sale, and the price for these sets dropped substantially.

The 2012 Proof Coins: How They Got to Be Scarce and High Priced – Dave's Collectible Coins , America's Favorite Coin Shoppe (2)It wasn’t just coin dealers and wholesalers. Dealers had to have the 2012 sets so they paid more for them. This led to bidding wars. The price went up. Now the 2012 set was almost unaffordable for the average collector. To try to get with the program, over the next two years big dealers stocked up on 2013 and 2014s. However, going back to their usual operating basis, the U.S. Mint kept offering the 2013 and 2014 sets and it created a surplus. The price of the 2012 sets never came down either.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this happen, and it always dare I say it,frustratesus as we have no way of knowing when the Mint will pull a fast one and do something like this. The U.S. Mint did this in 2008 and 1997. Something similar happened in 1999 too. In fact in 1999 the proof set peaked at six-hundred dollars a set!

People are always asking how to predict this and how to prepare for things like this, so that they can buy the sets when they are cheap and then sell them when they are expensive. Unfortunately there really is no way of knowing when this sort of thing will happen. It’s a crystal ball type of situation that requires fortune telling skills to predict. Because the trends that cause these price surges to occur are not normal nor are they predictable, we in the coin collecting field really have no way of telling when these sorts of things will happen again. But that’s part of what makes the hobby a hobby, and part of what makes coin collecting a fun activity and a passion for many of us to engage ourselves in.

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The 2012 Proof Coins: How They Got to Be Scarce and High Priced – Dave's Collectible Coins , America's Favorite Coin Shoppe (2024)

FAQs

Why are 2012 proof sets so expensive? ›

Once the Mint stops selling them then that's it, no more sets. So, for some reason the Mint stopped selling the 2012 set about nine months earlier than most sets. This caused the demand for the sets to jump up, which also exploded the price of the sets.

How much is a 2012 proof set issue worth? ›

2012 Proof Sets
Proof SetsValue Range
Proof SetsValue Range
2012-S 25c Clad Quarters Proof Set, 5 Coins PR$16.88 - $16.88 $16.88 - $16.88
2012-S 25c Silver Quarters Proof Set, 5 Coins PR$33.75 - $33.75 $33.75 - $33.75
2012-S $1 Presidential Proof Set, 4 Coins PR$61.00 - $61.00 $61.00 - $61.00
6 more rows

How many coins are in a 2012 proof set? ›

WASHINGTON — Collectors may begin ordering the 2012 United States Mint Silver Proof Set at noon Eastern Time (ET) on June 4. Seven of the 14 coins in the set – the dime, half–dollar and the five quarter–dollar coins – are all struck in lustrous 90 percent silver, commonly referred to as “coin silver.”

How do you know if you have a rare proof coin? ›

Mirror-like Surfaces

Proof coins boast polished and reflective surfaces that set them apart from everyday currency and standard gold or silver coins. This mirror-like quality is achieved through a meticulous minting process. Highly polished dies and planchets are used, resulting in a flawless, reflective finish.

Are United States proof sets worth anything? ›

There are numerous factors that contribute to the value of proof coin sets but age and rarity are the two greatest indicators. Since they were originally produced as prototypes, very few proof coins were made and those that were produced for that purpose, generally before 1970, tend to hold a higher value.

Are proof sets worth buying? ›

Even if you already buy silver, gold bullion, and platinum coins, proof coins diversify your portfolio further because of their high numismatic value. This provides you with additional ways to profit from your investment.

Do proof coins hold value? ›

The value of Proof coins is almost always going to be more significant than that of a similar uncirculated, non-proof coin (when discounting other numismatic coins, such as key dates, errors, etc.).

Where to sell proof sets? ›

Where to Sell US Mint Proof Sets. If you're looking to sell your US mint proof set coins, you've come to the right place. American Rarities is buying all US mint proof sets, whether in their original packaging, or graded by one of the major coin grading services. We will buy your proof sets at a competitive price.

What makes a proof coin valuable? ›

Many Proof coins are double struck under high pressure, which creates devices fully struck in intricate detail that might not be apparent on a circulation strike coin. Proof coins will typically carry a higher price, but as their rarity increases with time, so should their value.

What is the highest proof coin? ›

A PR70 coin is the highest grade possible for a proof coin and indicates a perfect example, with PR69 and lower grades reflecting some deficiency in the strike, centering, details, or other aspect of the coin.

What are 2012 quarters worth? ›

Varieties on the 2012 Denali National Park and Preserve Quarter This coin was produced in a silver variety as part of proof sets. They are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. The average price of the single silver coin ranges from $5 to $10, depending on the grade.

Are proof coins worth more than bullion coins? ›

Bullion Coins: Their price closely follows the spot price of the metal they're made of, with a small premium added by dealers. Proof Coins: While they also have an intrinsic metal value, their price is influenced more by collectability, rarity, and design intricacy, often leading to higher premiums.

Are gold proof coins a good investment? ›

The important thing to remember is that you're always getting value. Gold proof coins are a great investment, and they're an essential addition for any collector. Visit our Gold Bullion page today to see all our proof offerings and their regular strike counterparts.

Can you get proof coins from the bank? ›

For the most part, it will be difficult to get those as most are supplied by the major monetary services, unless you go to a small bank. But even with modern coins, you can find errors and rarely a proof coin.

What years are the most valuable proof sets? ›

Modern U.S. Proof Set Coin Values
Date & TypeTotal Sets SoldAvg. Sell Value
19363,837$5,750.00
19375,542$3,000.00
19388,045$1,400.00
19398,795$1,250.00
59 more rows
Apr 20, 2022

How many 2012 silver proof sets were made? ›

Silver Proof Set Mintages
Year of IssueMintage
2012395,443
2013419,720
2014404,665
2015387,310
21 more rows

How much is a 2011 proof set worth? ›

2011 Proof Sets
Proof SetsValue Range
Proof SetsValue Range
2011-S 1c-$1 Silver Proof Set, 14 Coins PR$63.00 - $63.00 $63.00 - $63.00
2011-S 25c Clad Quarters Proof Set, 5 Coins PR$14.85 - $14.85 $14.85 - $14.85
2011-S 25c Silver Quarters Proof Set, 5 Coins PR$33.75 - $33.75 $33.75 - $33.75
5 more rows

What is the mintage of the 2012 mint set? ›

This 2012 Mint Set from the Royal Australian Mint features a 50c coin that is coloured and has a mintage of 100,000, providing an attractive yet limited collectible opportunity.

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