Question On Proof And Mint Sets

It would be a mistake, in my opinion, to contemplate "investing" in any proof or mint set based on your premise.
"Investing", if you will, is really more for gold and silver BULLION buyers who buy and sell frequently and enjoy the roller-coaster ride of the markets--- ie. gambling.

However, for just strictly "collectors" who wouldn't mind the value of their collections appreciating substantially over time.....well, there's nothing wrong with that at all. And generally and historically, Proof and Mint sets DO NOT appreciate much in value, in fact some are now CHEAPER than their original issue price. There are exceptions of course....but it's not the "norm".
Your best bet is "Classic" coins from a "collecting standpoint with a tinge of investment hope for the future"....kind of thing. They tend to, at least, hold their value regardless of what "spot prices" happen to be on a given day or month or year.

"Investing" in ANY sense of the word, with modern Proof and Mint sets, would just be folly in my opinion.

This comes up lots of times and the answer is always the same. Coin collecting of any type, form or shape is a Hobby. Never think of any hobby as an investment. Not all but in the geatest amount of instances investments in a hobby just don't pay off unless you own a hobby store. And even then, many just don't get rich with such places.
Get a copy of the Red Book and in the 2011 edition, on pages 331 and up there are lists of Proof and Uncirc sets. Those lists show the oringinal issue price and the approximate latest prices. Many, many have gond down.

I like proof sets and mint sets dated from 1954 and before. Other than that, no.

Yes I agree. This is a hobby and not an investment. Do not expect to make money on current proof sets as a lot of them depreciate in value. If you want to invest buy silver bullion. Some collect these coins from other countries. I bought my set (1968-1998) for $5 each. I think I paid $170 for the entire lot. If I could find another one like that I would buy it so I can split up the proof sets to fill in coin slots. Mint sets are not as valuable and usually cost more that it should be. Be careful though. You want them in the original packaging. Some rare years for mint sets include 1970 (only way to get 1970d half dollar), 1987 (only way to get the 1987p and d half dollar), 1996 (includes the 1996W dime). The 70d half dollar is currently priced at $20. the 87 (p,d) are currently about $5 each, and the 1996W dime is about $15 now.

Mint and proof sets have been just about the best performers in coins for thirty years now. No the typical mint or prof set purchased at market price or bought from the minthas not been a stellar performer. There are hundreds of exceptions like a 1954 Indian proof set that went from $15 just a few years ago to $1250 today but most of the mint and proof sets actually available are available because they are common and common coins and sets simply never have and never will do very well.

This isn't to say something like a common 1968 US proof set will never do well, just that it was common when it was made and still is fairly common even after so many have been destroyed. But there are coins that rarely appear n a 1968 proof set that do have demand. Try finding a gem heavily frosted half or cent for instance. There is usually far greater demand for coins that actually circulated so this makes most mint sets even more desirable. A 1969 quarter that is clean and well made is a rarity. Even a mere gem appeared in only about .5% of the 1.8 million mint sets. Over the years 70% of the sets have been destroyed and probably close to 60% of the survivors have tarnished coins in them which will lead to their destruction. What started out as a tough coin is simply becoming a scarce coin under everyone's noses.

It's really the same acoss the board. Modern coins haven't been saved anywhere in the world because they have no precious metals. Many governments or banks assembled mint sets but these have suffered high attrition because the coins weren't valued except as type coins. This has led to their degradation and destruction. It hasn't happened in this country yet but world wide there is a movement of new collectors seeking th moderns and finding that in most cases they simply don't exist any longer. Even the circulated coins were often destroyed by the issuer to use to mke refrigerators and consumer products. This is causing explosive price increases and this is likly to continue for many years.

"Investing" in any collectible is a misnomer. It's impossible to invest in anything that can't be quantified or undergoes trends that can't be predicted. It's extremely risky to put money in collectibles except as a hobby. Even though I knew these coins were grossly undervalued I never really stuck my neck out trying to "invest" in them. Today with many of thm at higher prices it's even less wise to "take a position" or "put money in the market". But collecting is enjoyable and many are going to do it whether I try to buy the coins when thy are out of favor or not. A collector knows the value of something like an aluminum 1950-E E Ger 10p and might feel perfectly comfortable bidding more than the $1300 market price. An "investor" never knows the value of anything so can lose his shirt on a bunch of $2 coins or a lot fewer $2,000 coins. Take your pick.

If you want to really invest then you simply have to learn and once you know what something is worth then you pay less. The easiest and most enjoyable way to larn whether you like classics or moderns is to collect

I buy proof sets for their beauty, but definitely not as an investment. Most of the proof sets are considered "common" and the prices are very reasonable. Due to the great prices, I am able to obtain many of these lovely sets. If the prices were high then I would have to pass them up. Plus, proof sets make great gifts and can be displayed easily and smartly. If the prices do increase dramatically that would make owning them all the more exciting! I think it is awesome that you have collected practically every set since 1964 and you should be very proud of your collection. The fact that you are going to pass them to your son(I believe) makes the collection priceless in my opinion.