Need Guidance On Purchasing Some Proof Sets

I suggest not buying any of those. Proof sets are always going down in value. Mint sets are usually broken open to get the coins for Albums. Just not a lot of people actually saving those.

The '68-'70 mint sets have a 40% silver Kennedy half in them. Other than that, I can't think of anything of note.

I'll take the other route and suggest buying what you can afford, for as little as you can negotiate. Yes, these have dropped somewhat steadily over the years, however, at some point they will rise simply because of what others mentioned. For every set broken open, and there are thousands sold individually on ebay alone, at some point the original as issued sets will hit low survivor totals. How long is tough to say.

I've been busting out the clad ones from 20xx and spending the coins. Really no numismatic value. The silver ones worth melt.

Hope your review of the sets went well.

Here is a link to Varieties found in mint sets.
(Hopefully this link is allowed.)
http://www.lincolncentforum.com/var...n-mint-sets/

I get the older "S" ones because they have the Ike dollars in them as well as the JFKs but that is my rationale.

Older mint and proof sets Are pretty hot right now. They have been for a while but no one notices. As an example the coins in the 1974 mint set wholesale for about $11 but the set retails for about $7. This strange situation exists because mint sets are the only source for most moderns and they are running out. Worse is that a lot of the sets are tarnished now and these won't bring any premium at all.

Look for nice pristine sets and the DDO '74-D half, the D/D '69 dime, and '70 sm dt cent. Look for any sets that are pristine with no tarnish or haze. If you buy (bought) them then consider cutting them up and soaking the coins in 91% alcohol.

These coins just might surprise everyone. Even "common" coins like '74-D quarters do not exist in nearly enough quantity to supply a mass market. The supply is highly limited but the demand is not.

I agree with most of the other people here. One thing I want to add is that selling these things is a HUGE pain in the butt. I recently came to acquire 15 or so 80's/90's proof and mint sets, and 8 2000's proof sets for face value. Trying to sell them individually on ebay is basically not an option. Undercutting competition doesn't always result in a fast sale even if it's pristine. Not to mention, undercutting means selling them for maybe 40 cents above face value after fees and shipping! I ended up just breaking up the mint sets and 2000's proof sets and spending them. But I was lucky to find a buyer outside of ebay who took the rest for 2 bucks a piece and paid for the medium flat rate box I had to put them in, because not only are they nearly worthless, they're also super bulky