In 2012, the United States Mint celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the third San Francisco Mint building by releasing the 2012 American Silver Eagle San Francisco Proof Set. This special set included a Proof and a Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle, both struck at the San Francisco Mint and carrying the “S” mintmark. The addition of these coins brought the total number of American Silver Eagles offered in 2012 to five, making it a significant year for collectors of the popular series.
### The Rarity of the 2012-S American Silver Eagle Proof Set
The 2012-W American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof included in this set holds the title for the lowest mintage 2012 Silver Eagle, as it was exclusive to this set. This rarity factor adds value and desirability for collectors seeking unique and limited items for their collections.
### Introduction of the Mint-on-Demand Model
The 2012 American Silver Eagle San Francisco Proof Set was released using a mint-on-demand model, where the Mint allowed unlimited orders during a one-month window and produced the sets based on demand. This helped prevent speculators from manipulating the market and allowed more collectors to purchase the set at retail price without facing inflated secondary market costs.
### Current Value and Market Trends
After the initial sell-out and delivery of all sets, the 2012 American Silver Eagle San Francisco Proof Set totaled 224,981 in sales. Today, these sets typically trade for around $170 in their original government packaging, showing a slight decrease from their initial retail price. However, the set’s value has remained relatively stable over time, making it a solid addition to any American Silver Eagle collection.
Overall, the 2012 American Silver Eagle San Francisco Proof Set holds historical significance as part of the series’ anniversary celebrations and represents a key moment in the evolution of the American Silver Eagle program.