Agree that top graded coins are the way to go with these items. As a set they may be more expensive but they will hold their value.
I do have one question... Since neither set is graded or comes with an assertion of coin quality, why is the acrylic $500 more than the mahogany case. The case looks like standard Lighthouse Quadrum holders in a Lighthouse display case. Surely this is more expensive than the acrylic version that looks like it was done in a garage workshop?