Will Closing The San Francisco Mint Affect Coin Collecting?

I have that same opinion! It is pretty random which strike I prefer with each design. It is interesting how it works out with some of them.

You brought it up here... https://goccf.com/t/483079#4346972

Would help justify the cost increase.

I had oatmeal. Or, I always have oatmeal, so I probably had oatmeal.

Should the San Francisco Mint close it will become a museum like the previous Carson City and New Orleans mints. Absolutely the coins minted there past and present would increase in value as rarities regardless if production is shifted to the remaining three mints.

To begin with, San Francisco currently produces proof and commemorative coins all of which have very low mintage shared with West Point. We have seen some production from Philly and Denver as well. Historically, the only substantial production was the Morgan from the silver and gold rushes. During that era the Carson City mint was established and both western mints increasing their production. Nevertheless, their production was dwarfed by the Philly and New Orleans mints and to a lesser extent in 1921 where the Denver mint kick up production, the final run.

In 2025, the San Francisco Mint released it's final ASE proof coin and should be a valuable one to collect. In effect, the writing is on the wall for the San Francisco Mint to close. Production will shift in particular to West Point along with Philly and Denver all of which are more than capable to pick up San Francisco's production.

The US Mint will never sunset their numismatic collector coin production, it is a huge money maker.