Most coin collectors don’t think of terms like “rare” or “valuable” when US Proof and Mint Sets are mentioned, and this wouldn’t be uneducated line-of-thought when you consider that most proof and mint sets dates trade anywhere from less than $10 to under $50 each. However, the most educated collectors know a little better on the subject, and know that valuable and rare coins can be found in mint sets.

The first US Proof Set was issued in 1936 and it’s value has soured to over $6,500 with the 1937 set not far behind in premium. All proof sets from 1955 and back trade for $200 and up, but this is not just exclusive to proof sets, because early mint sets like the 1947 double set can sale for premiums in excess of $1,100. And any US Mint Sets from 1958 and earlier trade for $130 and up, depending on their year.

Of course, these mint sets are rare and often difficult to find, there’s other, more modern, proof sets that bring a premium for other reasons. For example, the 1970-S, Level 7, Small Date Cent can trade for $100 and up and the 1979-S with a Clear S mint mark can trade for similar values, but this is only a sample of the valuable mint and proof sets that can still be “discovered” in common collections.

Not only that, but deep cameo high grade examples often bring premiums in the thousands of dollars, and many collectors search out unopened sets just for this reason. Many valuable Proof, Deep Cameo, Franklin Halve Dollars have been discovered in early proof sets not to mention other denominations.

Also, there’s many proof sets that might contain errors, varieties, or other rarities, and no one on knows just how many might still be undiscovered, in collections all over the US. Who knows, there might be a yet undiscovered rarity in a proof set just waiting for a someone to discover it. But for now, below is list that can help you find the rarities that have been found.

Note: Silver proof sets are in red boxes and clad proof sets and mint sets are found in blue boxes from 1999 to the present, but from 1992-1998 the silver proof sets are housed in black boxes.

US Proof Sets 1936 $6,500 1937 $3,700 1938 $1,800 1939 $1,700 1940 $1,400 1941 $1,400 1942 $1,200 1950 $ 650 1951 $ 600 1952 $ 325 1953 $ 300 1954 $ 175 1955 $ 175 1970-S Level 7, small date cent $100 1979-S Clear S $115 1981-S Clear S $300 1983-S Prestige Set $110 1990-S No S Cent $6,500 1992-S Prestige Set $120 1995-S Prestige Set $250 1995-S Silver $100 1995-S Silver Premium $100 1996-S Prestige Set $500 1997-S Prestige Set $225 1997-S Silver $100 1997-S Silver Premium $100 1999-S Silver $275 2001-S $125 2001-S Silver $140

Mint Sets 1947 Double Set $1,100 1948 Double Set $575 1949 Double Set $750 1951 Double Set $750 1952 Double Set $700 1953 Double Set $450 1954 Double Set $225 1955 Double Set $140 1956 Double Set $130 1957 Double Set $225 1958 Double Set $130 2004 $60+

Note: Always look for coins in proof and mint sets that are missing mint marks.

US Mint Errors are still being found in pocket change, rolls and collections everday. A few like the Wisconcen Extra Leaf State Quarter, Washington Presidential Dollar No Edge Lettering are but a few modern examples of mint errors becoming a variety for that series.

So one should check their pocket change and collections for any differences in a coins design or shape, and our Mint Error Picture Guide can help you identify some of the more common errors and varieties. To see our mint error picture guide click here.

If you have a question about a coin you own then post a comment.