2011 Annual Sets Release Dates

The release dates are now available for the United States Mint's 2011 Proof Set, 2011 Mint Set, and 2011 Silver Proof Set. The Mint had previously announced that these products would be available earlier in the year due to collector feedback.
The 2011 Proof Set containing 14 different proof coins struck at the San Francisco Mint will be released on January 11, 2011. The 2011 Silver Proof Set, containing 90% silver versions of the proof dime, quarters, and half dollar, along with the remaining coins in standard compositions will be released on January 25, 2011. The 2011 Mint Set, containing 28 coins struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints will be released on February 8, 2011. The coins in this set will feature a brilliant finish rather than the satin finish.

Based on the above image included with an email from the US Mint, each of the annual sets will feature packaging designed with the US Mint's new branding.

An interesting thing to consider is that it seems the full annual sets will be released prior to the component sets. For example, typically the US Mint releases separate Presidential Dollar Proof Sets and Quarter Proof Sets prior to the release of the full sets. One of the incentives of buying the component sets was to get the coins earlier, since the full annual sets were released months later. This year, there will be less incentive to purchase the component sets, likely resulting in a drop in unit sales.

At this time, pricing details for the 2011 annual sets has not yet been provided. Last year, prices for the most popular sets were increased, despite the fact that the number of coins per set declined from the prior year. Hopefully, prices for the Proof Set and Mint Set will not be increased again, although an adjustment for the Silver Proof Set could be justified based on the higher price of silver.

Previous inquiries to the US Mint have indicated that the 2010 Proof Set, 2010 Mint Set, and 2010 Silver Proof Set will remain on sale even after sales of the 2011-dated sets begin. In recent years, the US Mint has often timed the end of sales for annual products with the start of sales for the new version. I was told that the 2010-dated sets would remain on sale until December 31, 2011.

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