A lot of folks around Winston-Salem have a stack of blue and red US Mint boxes in a closet. Some were bought new every year, some were gifts, and many come out of an estate. If you are thinking about selling US Mint proof sets or mint sets, this guide explains what you have, what actually adds value, and how we make an offer at Apex Gold Silver Coin, 605 Walnut St SW. One thing up front: we do not offer appraisals. We look at your sets and make a straight buy offer.
Proof set vs. mint set: what is the difference?
A mint set (the Mint calls it an uncirculated set) holds regular coins, the same kind that went into circulation, packaged straight from the Mint. Most years you get one of each coin from each mint, so you will see both P and D mint marks in the same set.
A proof set is made differently. The coins are struck more than once on polished blanks with polished dies, which gives them mirror-like fields and frosty raised designs. Since 1968 most proof coins carry the S mint mark from San Francisco. They usually come in a hard plastic case with an outer box, and newer sets include a certificate of authenticity (COA).
The two get mixed up all the time, and that is fine. Bring them in and we will sort it out with you.
Which sets have silver in them?
Silver content is the biggest thing that separates one set from another. Here is a quick rundown:
- 1950 to 1964 proof sets. The dime, quarter, and half dollar are 90% silver. These sets came in thin cellophane flat packs, not hard cases.
- Mint sets through 1964. Same story: the dimes, quarters, and halves are 90% silver.
- 1965 to 1967 Special Mint Sets. No proof sets were made those years. The Kennedy half in these sets is 40% silver; the other coins are clad.
- 1968 to 1970 sets. The Kennedy half dollar is 40% silver. Everything else is clad.
- Silver proof sets from 1992 on. The Mint started offering silver versions of the proof set, with 90% silver dimes, quarters, and halves. Starting in 2019 the silver coins in these sets are .999 fine silver.
- Prestige proof sets (1983 to 1997). These include a commemorative silver dollar along with the regular proof coins.
If you have loose 90% silver coins too, our guide to selling pre-1964 silver coins covers how we handle those.
Let’s be honest about modern clad sets
This is the part nobody likes to hear. The Mint made millions of clad proof sets and mint sets, and most of them sell for close to face value, sometimes a little more. Plenty of people paid more for them new than they bring today. That is not a knock on your collection. It is just how the market treats common modern sets.
There are exceptions, and we look at every set. But we would rather tell you the truth across the counter than have you drive in expecting a big check for a stack of 1990s clad sets.
What helps your sets bring more
- Keep the original packaging. The Mint case, the outer box, and the COA all matter. A set that is complete and in its original packaging is easier to sell and usually worth more than loose coins.
- Leave sealed sets sealed. Do not cut open mint set cellophane or pop proof coins out of their cases.
- Do not clean the coins. Cleaning, polishing, or wiping a proof coin leaves fine scratches and kills the mirror finish. Toning and spots are better left alone.
- Keep sets together by year. If you have a run of years, bring the whole run. It makes the count faster and keeps everything straight.
- Store them dry. Heat and humidity cause spots and haze on proof coins, so a closet beats an attic or garage.
How we price proof and mint sets
For silver sets, the starting point is the silver inside. We figure the metal content from the day’s silver price and add a modest premium when the set is complete, original, and in good shape. For clad sets, the offer is usually close to face value unless a set has something extra going for it. We go through your sets with you, explain the offer, and you decide. If you would rather keep them, that is fine too.
Sets often come in with other coins from the same collection. We also buy silver dollars (see selling Morgan and Peace silver dollars), bullion (see selling silver bars and rounds), and gold coins, including American Gold Eagles. Bring it all in one trip.
Selling a whole collection or an estate
If you inherited years of sets, you do not need to sort or research them first. Box them up as they are and bring them in. Leave them in their packaging, keep any receipts or paperwork that came with them, and we will go through them with you. For more on estates, see our guide to selling inherited gold coins.
What to bring
- Your proof sets and mint sets, in their original cases and boxes
- Any COAs and paperwork
- A government-issued photo ID
No appointment is needed. Customers drive in from Greensboro, High Point, Kernersville, and around the Triad to sell sets with us here in Winston-Salem.
Visit Apex Gold Silver Coin
Apex Gold Silver Coin
605 Walnut St SW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 505-9503
Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 12pm to 3pm, closed Sunday
Jeff owns the shop and Tania runs it day to day. Walk in with your sets and we will give you a clear offer on the spot.
Featured photo: 2019 US Mint silver proof set, United States Mint via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
