Several United States Mint products went off sale on Dec. 31, 2016. Three of them included core annual sets from 2015 that, according to the latest figures, register sales ranging from the weakest in six decades to an all-time low.
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 in the secondary market but some of the mintage low sets are commanding sizable premiums.
2015 Proof Set
The clad 2015 Proof Set went on sale Mar. 24, 2015 for $32.95. Each set has 14 proof quality coins struck at the San Francisco Mint. Coins of the set include the year’s cent, nickel, dime, five quarters, half-dollar, and five $1 coins.
Last reported sales have the set at 662,934 for the lowest total since the 1955 Proof Set ended at 378,200.
The 2014-dated set had held that distinction at 714,661; and before it the set from 2012 at 794,002. Both had issue prices of $31.95. The set from 2014 is realizing modest secondary market prices of around $36 to $40. The 2012 Proof Set, which failed to breach the milestone of 1 million for the first time in decades, continues to grab the best prices at about $100 to $125.
US Mint Sales of 2008 – 2015 Proof Sets
| Issue Price | Coins | Issue Date | Ending Sales / Mintage | |
| 2015 Set | $32.95 | 14 | Mar. 24, 2015 | 662,909 |
| 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 |
2015 Mint Set
The 2015 Mint Set launched on April 27, 2015 for $28.95. Sets have 28 uncirculated quality coins with 14 from the Denver Mint and 14 from the Philadelphia Mint. They include pairs of the cent, nickel, dime, five quarters, half-dollar and five $1 coins.
The uncirculated 2015 Mint Set has sales of 314,060, which is the smallest amount since the 1961 Mint Set logged a mintage of 223,704.
Sales of the annual product have trended directly lower since 2009. In looking at the more recent issues, sets from 2014 can be found near their original issue price while those from 2013 are available for a few dollars cheaper. Sets from 2012, however, are listed from about 2x to 3x their issue price.
US Mint Sales of 2008 – 2015 Mint Sets
| Issue Price | Coins | Issue Date | Ending Sales / Mintage | |
| 2015 Set | $28.95 | 28 | April 27, 2015 | 314,048 |
| 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 |
2015 Silver Proof Set
The 2015 Silver Proof Set went on sale May 14, 2015 for $53.95. Each set has 14 proof quality coins from the San Francisco Mint. Similar to the regular clad set, it includes the year’s cent, nickel, dime, five quarters, half-dollar, and five $1 coins. Making it unique, seven of the coins — the half-dollar, five quarters and dime — are in 90% silver.
Last reported sales have the 2015 set at 387,460. Introduced in 1992, no other modern silver proof set has a lower total.
The 2012-dated set had held the mintage low distinction at 395,443. Those are seen at about 3x their issue price.
US Mint Sales of 2008 – 2015 Silver Proof Sets
| Year | Issue Price | Coins | Issue Date | Ending Sales / Mintage |
| 2015 Set | $53.95 | 14 | May 14, 2015 | 387,435 |
| 2014 Set | $53.95 | 14 | April 29, 2014 | 429,493 |
| 2013 Set | $67.95 | 14 | May 2, 2013 | 419,720 |
| 2012 Set | $67.95 | 14 | June 4, 2012 | 395,443 |
| 2011 Set | $67.95 | 14 | Jan. 25, 2011 | 574,175 |
| 2010 Set | $56.95 | 14 | Aug. 26, 2010 | 585,414 |
| 2009 Set | $52.95 | 18 | July 17, 2009 | 694,406 |
| 2008 Set | $44.95 | 14 | Aug. 26, 2008 | 774,874 |
2016 Set Sales
United States Mint figures as of Jan. 1, 2017 have sales of the 2016 Proof Set at 575,183; those of the 2016 Mint Set at 266,301; and the 2016 Silver Proof Set at 356,683.
The U.S. Mint has not yet announced release dates for this year’s editions.
Update: The three tables above were edited on Jan. 11, 2017 with updated U.S. Mint sales figures as of Jan. 8, 2017. Specifically, totals fell by: 12 for the 2015 Mint Set; 25 for the 2015 Proof Set by 25; and 25 for the 2115 Silver proof Set.
