Proof Coins In Circulated Sets... How Do You Feel?

It depends on what you are intending to represent in the collection. If it is a circulated date set then Proof coins are interlopers. If it is simply a date set, then the proof coin is a legitimate component... as long as the proof coin is the same in all attributes save finish. The RCM releases two proof sets annually, a Silver Proof and a base metal proof ( and sometimes more if in the mood). If a date set is the intent, a base metal proof would be legit... A Silver Proof would be beginning to stretch.

I split collections into Specimen, Proof and Base Metal and given the current releases from the mint, I see no difference between the annual uncirculated packs and the base metal coins from the wild... except it is easier to capture from an unc set.

Just my 2 cents (base metal) but rounded down to $0 since the cent was withdrawn.

Does the collection book say "circulated" or is that just what you perceive it to be? My thought is that if it says date & mint mark as long as it goes in the appropriate slot it doesn't matter. But if you don't feel that way you would not be satisfied doing it the way someone else does it. Follow your own feelings because in the end you are the one you have to please.

I have done the same thing with my Canadian coin sets; especially the 50c, $1, and $2 coins. The reason I did it was because I was getting superb looking proof or specimen coins for the same price (or sometimes cheaper) than circulated coins. This happened years ago and now I'm not positive what is what in my folders, but some are MUCH nicer than the others.

I don't plan right now to replace the specimen/proof coins with circulated; possibly in the future.

I have two albums containing my British decimal coins, and I put proof coins in the album, such as 1972, 1973 and 1974 2 pence pieces, where no circulating coins were struck. If a coin was not issued for circulation but was struck in both proof and BU specimen sets, I'll put a proof or BU specimen in the album, depending on which I can get more easily.

That's correct. The RCM finished phasing out the NBU finish in the sets (Successor to the PL finish) several years ago. Check Charlton Vol 2 or some other source to see which sets contain NBU coins and which contain UNC (Circulation finish) coins. The specialty sets (NHL, O Canada etc) were switched first and then the regular 6/7 coin sets a few years later. I'm vaguely thinking 2011 was the last year but don't have my catalogue here to confirm.

I collect circulating coins, so if the coin wasn't released for circulation then I don't even include it in my list. All my coins are found through change or CRH. The best I can hope for is a new roll from the mint. I enjoy finding the best example of each coin, but not paying more than face value, so as a result I don't buy mint sets.

So to answer your question, it's highly unlikely a proof coin would ever find its way into my main collection, and if I found one I'd definitely keep it, but it wouldn't replace the circulating version.

I have found a 2001 loonie that's likely from a broken set. It's in my collection as sort of an "extra".