Purchasing From The US Mint

The Presidential dollar rolls available from the US Mint are uncirculated and come with a "special wrapper". Yes, they are more than face value, but the US Mint does not sell anything for face value. IMO and in the opinion of many others, the wrappers do not add anything to the value. The difference is that ordering from the Mint is the only way most people can get them from both mints(P&D). Yes, you can get the same quality coins from your local bank in uncirculated condition when they are released but they are only distributed geographically according to what Fed district you live in. I notice from your profile that you are in a western state so you would only be able to get new Denver issues from a bank. If you are only interested in an uncirculated roll and not the particular mint mark, get them from a bank for face value. If you want both mints, purchase from the US Mint or get enough posts so you can make a trade with our members in the east

As for the silver proof sets, I buy one every year. I do not purchase the regular clad proof sets as I would rather own them in silver but that is just my personal preference. I do think that the silver sets will probably hold their value a bit better than the clad sets strictly due to the silver content. Keep in mind that the only silver coins are the dime, State Quarters, and half dollar- the others are their normal composition.

WELCOME.
My suggestion is to not bother at all with Mint pruchases of any of those baby sized dollar coins. If you are into them, just go to banks and ask for them. Most banks are trying to get rid of them. Only collectors want them so the banks are loaded with them. At least around me they are. They have actually gone to asking people if they want them. Most say no. For now they are popular. In the future, they will be only worth a dollar and you'll have trouble getting rid of them. I think another novelty like the Bicentennial Quarters that no one collects any more.
If I were you I'd slow down. Just order a proof and uncirc set from the Mint each year. Continue going through rolls and bags of coins from where ever you can acquire them until you find what you're really interested in. Oddly enough many, many people change their minds frequently.

I have a different option from everybody else. I would order the coins from the U.S. Mint because that way you are guaranteed to get them. I know in my area you can not get Presidential dollars from the local bank. They have refused to order them from the Fed. So I ordered the 2007 United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set™ for $14.95. I am not opopposed to spending a little extra when it saves me the time from having to find them at local shops.

Silver proofs are very satisfying - beautiful if you keep them and not too shabby if you sell them. If you want to make a million dollars, buy a million dollars worth and sell them at cost :)