What is the Limited Edition Silver Proof Set?

Coin collectors are often driven by a passion for history and the desire to own a diverse collection that includes a mix of interesting, rare, and historically significant coins. With that said, the prospect of owning a coin, or a coin set, with a low production number is a compelling proposition for the serious collector. The Limited Edition Silver Proof set is one such collector’s item, and here we’ll be taking a closer look at what it is to gain a better appreciation for its rarity.

How the Set Started

The Limited Edition Silver Proof Set was first introduced in 2012 as part of an exclusive series of annual releases by the U.S. Mint. While the coins in modern sets are struck in 99.9% silver, the traditional silver coinage back then was produced in 90% silver. It wasn’t until 2019 that the U.S. Mint shifted to a higher purity level to reflect changes in minting practices and standards.

Among the coins included in the first Limited Edition Set were:

Five America the Beautiful Quarters
A Kennedy Half Dollar
A Roosevelt Dime
An American Silver Eagle Proof coin

Desirability and Value

All Limited Edition Silver Proof Sets produced since 2012 were capped at 50,000, which helped drive prices for these items on the market due to their limited availability. This made them lucrative investments for many collectors.

The coins in the Limited Edition Silver Proof Sets were also exemplary pieces. The quarters themselves showcased five national park sites across the country, carefully depicting the natural beauty of the United States.

Pause in Production

Since its inaugural year in 2012, the U.S. Mint has always released a Limited Edition Silver Proof Set, except for the year 2015. The Mint supposedly had packaging issues that delayed, and ultimately skipped, the release for a 2015 set. No official statement has been released, however, to explain it, and production resumed normally in 2016.

With each set released, the numismatic community eagerly awaits to add a new addition to their collection. It’s quite common, in fact, for collectors to seek out sets for all the release years to keep their collection up to date.