What is the Congratulations Set?

Category: Coins of the U.S. Mint

[DELETE] The art of coin collecting is filled with various sets that commemorate historical events, cultural milestones, and personal celebrations. Among these distinguished collections, one that holds a unique place in the hearts of many collectors is the Congratulations Set.

Though they largely remain unchanged since their introduction, these sets tell their own story. But they serve a meaningful purpose, as well – as unique and memorable gifts that stand out from the rest.

What Is the Congratulations Set?

At its core, the Congratulations Set features the American Eagle One Ounce Silver Proof, one of the most beloved and popular coins in the numismatic world. What sets this collection apart is its dynamic nature—each year introduces a new design, adding an element of exclusivity and freshness to the collector's set.

How Did They Begin?

The set was first introduced in 2013, with the original sets including a standard American Silver Eagle with a "W" on the reverse to reflect its West Point mint origin. The Mint presumably released the set to be a thoughtful and unique way to celebrate milestones like graduations, awards, achievements, new job promotions, retirements, and more.

What Is Included in a Congratulations Set?

The set includes a large box, and a card with a designated area for you to write a personal message. Affixed within this bi-fold card is also the American Silver Eagle Silver Proof Coin. A large "Congratulations!" message is printed brightly on both the front of the sleeve and the card. Both the obverse (heads) and reverse (tails) of the coin are visible, and a Certificate of Authenticity is printed on the back, along with details about the Silver Eagle coin.

What Makes the Congratulations Set Popular?

The packaging, with its festive design and premium feel, is arguably the selling point that adds value and rarity to the set since there are a smaller number of Congratulations Sets released than there are American Silver Eagle coins.

[ADD: Low mintage, compared to 2023 W Proof Silver Eagle]

[ADD: Lower mintage often means lower population, the scarcity metric among certified coins]

In 2017, Mint customers purchased 74,497 Congratulations Sets of the 75,000 released. While there is some debate on the total number of sets officially sold due to purchasing problems such as credit card issues, it is one of the fastest sellout times for the Congratulations Set ever recorded.