Questions About the U.S. Mint’s Current Numismatic Prices
Back in 1960, the U.S. Mint was selling its Proof Sets right at the face value of the coins in the set. In 2025, the Mint’s price for the regular…
Back in 1960, the U.S. Mint was selling its Proof Sets right at the face value of the coins in the set. In 2025, the Mint’s price for the regular Proof Set was $40.25, far above the $2.91 face value of the coins in the set.
The U.S. Mint has announced that the price for the same set dated 2026 will be $107.00!
If you ordered the 100-coin bag of the 2025 Arkansas American Innovation Dollar from the Mint, the coins cost you $123.50. However, if you order the 2026 Iowa American Innovation Dollar, its price is up to $154.50. The same price jump applies for the 2025 to 2026 100-coin bags of Native American Dollars.
The 2025 Uncirculated Set, commonly called a Mint Set, originally sold for $33.25. If you bought that one, would you be willing to pay $124.50 for the 2026 version when it comes out?
The 200-coin bag of 2025 Kennedy Half Dollars was sold by the Mint for $154.50. But the same 200-coin bag of 2026 Enduring Liberty Half Dollars is listed on the Mint’s website at $180.00.
Yes, precious metals prices are up substantially over the past year, so it is no surprise that coins and medals made of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium are much more expensive than they were a year ago.
But none of the above-listed items contains any gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. So, what justifies increasing prices on them from 17 percent to 274 percent? Consumer prices overall are not rising anywhere close to these rates.
Customers in the store where I work are already grumbling about the price hikes and reconsidering whether to continue ordering from the Mint.
It used to be popular for parents (like mine) to order an annual proof or mint set for each of their children or grandchildren. With prices soaring to more than $100 for each of these sets, expect demand to drop significantly. If other numismatic products, such as the 4-coin American Innovation Dollar Proof Set, show similar soaring prices, the U.S. Mint could be cutting off one venue that promotes young numismatists.
Last column’s numismatic trivia question.
Last time I asked— What is the definition of a coin? Although everyone uses them, not many take the time to consider what makes a coin a coin. The federal government says “Coin” is defined: Coin is metal used for the time being as money, and stamped and issued by the authority of some State or Sovereign Power in order to be so used.” Generally, coins are small objects used primarily as a medium of exchange or a store of value, and have legal tender status. They have standardized weight and metal content. They usually are round, made of metal, and issued by a government, but there are exceptions to each of these features.
This week’s trivia question
Here is this week’s question. Why were U.S. quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins struck by the Mint in 1975 all dated “1776-1976?” Come back next week for the answer.
Patrick A. Heller was honored as a 2019 FUN Numismatic Ambassador. He is also the recipient of the American Numismatic Association 2018 Glenn Smedley Memorial Service Award, the 2017 Exemplary Service Award, the 2012 Harry Forman National Dealer of the Year Award, and the 2008 Presidential Award. Over the years, he has also been honored by the Numismatic Literary Guild, Professional Numismatists Guild, National Coin & Bullion Association, and the Michigan State Numismatic Society. He is the communications officer of Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Michigan, and writes “Liberty’s Outlook,” a monthly newsletter on rare coins and precious metals subjects. He now volunteers with the National Coin & Bullion Association as its Industry Issues Advisor. Past newsletter issues can be viewed at www.libertycoinservice.com. Some of his radio commentaries, "Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So,” and “Important News You Need To Know,” can be heard at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320-AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and becomes part of the audio archives posted at www.1320wils.com).
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