The US Mint Has Gone Too Far With Its New 2026 Prices

I checked the revised prices for the US Mint's numismatic items.

I never saw such price gouging in my life and unfortunately our government seems disinterested in curbing such abuse. I consider 2026 the year coin collecting died as it seems the US Mint is entirely showing complete disinterest in inviting new interest in numismatics.

Here are the new prices I just saw on the US Mint site as of 1/18/2026:

Uncirculated Coin Set - $124.50 (prior price $33.50)
https://www.usmint.gov/uncirculated...25-25RJ.html

AS an aside, it is now CHEAPER to get a similar set from The Royal Mint - The Definitive Set which is just the circulating coins for 39 GBP or the Annual set with the commemorative coins for 75 GBP.

(Clad) Proof Set - $104 (prior price $40.25)
https://www.usmint.gov/proof-set-2025-25RG.html

Limited Edition Silver Proof Set - $340 (not sure but I recall it being around $235)
https://www.usmint.gov/limited-edit...23-23RC.html

Silver Proof Set - $235 (prior price $150)
https://www.usmint.gov/silver-proof...23-23RH.html

American Innovation Proof Set - $60 (prior price $27.50)
https://www.usmint.gov/american-inn...et-21GA.html

Reverse Proof Set is same price.

The price of a bag of 100 American Innovation Dollars is $154.

American Silver Eagles are now about $173 for proof $169 for uncirculated.

Now the gold coins seem to have the lowest premium above melt - 1/10 an ounce about $585.

For me, I will continue my subscription but to the Uncirculated Set only because I have no time to fish around for fine unc examples (and the penny, dollar, and half will not be in cirulation just NIFC coins) and the secondary market will be selling these above their old price (which was already a little high). Also will stay with the American Innovation coins and possibly a silver proof set due to the 2025 one year designs. But that is it - but it also has skyrocketed my budget and now I will buy much less of coins. Or, if need be, abandon buying from the US Mint.

The irony is the US Mint is doing this during a commodities bubble and as dealers do have trouble turning over some of the inventory they bought from those selling their coins.

Gold seems to be the best bet right now as the premium above spot is not that high simply because the spot price is historically high.

But I saw coin collecting is dead as now most coins someone starting out with a modest budget will find it very difficult to acquire them - I am talking young collectors not financially independent and those who have a very, very modest income. Also the days of bullion stacking are fading away. I mean now to get a 1/10 ounce gold coin or silver is $100 - $500 per coin. You may as well get numismatic coins from other parts of the world or ancients.

I am glad I did start 6 years ago as it seems for the time being the past 6 years may have been the last window to get into coin collecting with a modest budget.