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Are Mint Sets Overvalued or Undervalued?

Writer's picture: Ethan OpdahlEthan Opdahl

Updated: Jun 9, 2023

In looking at the recent prices being realized for United States mint sets from 1948 to 1958, I was struck with a thought. Are these mint sets that are selling for hundreds and thousands of dollars truly worth it? In this article, in looking at market values for individual coins as well as whole sets, I will seek to discover the answer.

I will start with a specific example: a 1955 mint set. The Greysheet bid price of such a set is $275. However, most of the time, if someone is looking to buy an average 1955 set, they can find one for around $225. I have always been a fan of the 1955 date due to the incredible spike in value when the coins start getting into the MS-67 range. About a month ago, I had the opportunity to buy a 1955 set for $275. While I tried to negotiate with the dealer, he was firm at that price. Due to the quality of the coins within the set, which were far above average, I agreed to the price. While some would say that I slightly overpaid for the set, I would have to disagree. While the majority of the coins were mediocre, one coin (a 1955 Franklin half dollar) was magnificent. The surfaces of the coin were flawless, and the coin glistened with blue and purple hues. When I sent the coin in to PCGS to get graded, it came back as an MS-66+ FBL. For those of you that may be unfamiliar, a 1955 Franklin in this grade is worth $1,000. On top of that, I was able to sell the set, without the Franklin half dollar that I pulled out, for $300 due to the wonderful color exhibited on the majority of the coins. All in all, I was able to come away with $1,300 for a set that I "overpaid" for at $275.

I know exactly what you are thinking. Who is this guy who is bragging about his $1025 profit on a mint set. I completely understand that complaint, but I simply want to inform you of the opportunities that lie out there, waiting to be snatched. Some coins that were pulled from mint sets have fetched tens of thousands of dollars at auction. An example that always comes to mind is a spectacular 1951 Franklin half dollar that currently resides in a PCGS MS-67+ FBL holder. This coin is now worth a whopping $45,000. Shockingly, it was pulled from a mint set that costed a lucky numismatist no more than $700. While I won't list any other examples, you have to trust me, these jackpots are out there.

So, the answer to my previous question is this. Yes, some mint sets are worth the hundreds of dollars they now command. However, I would urge you to look for mint sets with premium coins: coins that are worth getting graded. Average mint sets get sold from dealer to dealer for wholesale, but the mint sets with amazing coins are broken up and submitted for high grades. Keep an eye out, and I am sure that you will be surprised by what you find. Happy hunting!



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