A proof set's worth turns on two things: the metal it is struck in, and how sought-after that particular edition is. We establish the precious-metal floor, then assess the year, edition limit, completeness and condition — and quote the higher figure.
A silver or gold proof set carries real metal value; a base-metal set lives or dies on its edition and its packaging. We tell you honestly which drives your set. Written valuation. Free insured postage. Paid in 72 hours.
Fair Vintage is an independent buyer of second-hand coins and coin sets. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorised representative of The Royal Mint. We identify and buy genuine Royal Mint sets on the secondary market.
A Royal Mint proof set is not one thing. Over the decades the Mint has issued proof sets in base metal, in sterling and fine silver, and in gold — from the annual definitive sets that gather a year's circulating coins, to commemorative sets marking a single event. When you sell, almost the whole question comes down to two factors: what metal the coins are struck in, and how desirable that particular edition is.
Metal gives a set its floor. A silver or gold proof set contains real precious metal far above the coins' nominal face values, and that metal is worth what the market pays for it regardless of anything else. The edition then adds a premium on top: a low mintage, a popular theme and a complete, pristine set with its certificate can lift a set well above its metal. A base-metal set has little or no metal floor, so for those the edition and the packaging are almost the whole story. We assess both and quote whichever is higher.
The single most important thing to establish about your set is which metal tier it belongs to, because it changes the basis of the valuation entirely:
The standard annual proof set. Struck to proof finish but in base metals, so there is little metal value — the worth is entirely in the edition, the theme, and being complete in its box with the certificate.
The same designs struck in silver, often as a limited edition. Real silver content sets a floor, and silver piedfort coins — struck on a double-thickness blank — hold more again. A collector premium sits on top.
The premium tier — gold proof Sovereign sets and gold definitive or commemorative sets. Strong gold content underpins the value, with a collector premium for low editions and complete, pristine presentation.
We buy Royal Mint proof sets of every era and tier, complete or (for silver and gold) part sets:
If your set is chiefly of interest for the collectable coins within it rather than metal, our sell commemorative coins page covers crowns, single commemoratives and limited editions. For precious-metal sets, the coins' silver or gold underpins the figure — see also sell silver coins and gold Sovereign valuation.
Where a premium exists above the metal floor, these are the factors that decide how large it is:
The value of a proof lives in its untouched mirror surface. Opening a capsule, wiping a coin or trying to "polish it up" leaves permanent marks that drop the grade and the price, and there is nothing to clean off in the first place. Keep every coin sealed in its capsule, keep the set in its case, and send it exactly as issued with the certificate. We assess it in its original state and explain the figure.
Tell us roughly what you have — "a 2012 silver proof set" or "a gold Sovereign proof set" is plenty. We email a free prepaid, tracked and insured label the same working day.
Send the set whole in its case with the certificate; leave every coin sealed in its capsule. Your parcel is insured to £5,000 from the moment the courier scans it.
We email a unique parcel code and your opening time. Your parcel is opened on camera and photographed before a specialist identifies the set, tier and edition.
Metal weighed as a floor, edition and completeness assessed, premium set out. Accept what you want to sell — return the rest free. Payment within 72 hours, or we add 3%.
If your question isn't here, call us on 01234 815116 or email support@fairvintage.co.uk. We respond within one working day.
Get your free label →It depends heavily on the metal and the edition. A base-metal (cupro-nickel and brass) annual proof set is bought largely for its collector appeal, which turns on the year, the edition limit and whether it is complete in its original packaging with the certificate — many ordinary years are modest. A silver or gold proof set has a floor of its precious-metal content on top of any collector premium, so it is worth substantially more. We assess the metal first as a floor, then the edition limit, completeness and condition, and quote whichever basis is higher.
For a base-metal proof set it matters a great deal: the presentation case, outer sleeve and certificate of authenticity are much of what a collector is buying, and a set stripped of them falls in value. For a silver or gold set the precious metal underpins the value even without packaging, but the original box and certificate still add to a complete set. Send whatever you have — case, sleeve, booklet and certificate — and leave the coins sealed in their capsules so the proof surfaces stay pristine.
Proof coins are struck to a special finish — mirror-like fields and frosted, detailed devices — using polished dies and multiple strikes, then individually encapsulated. Ordinary uncirculated or brilliant sets are struck to normal quality. Proof sets are made in far smaller numbers and sold at a premium by the Royal Mint, which is why they are collected. When you sell, we identify whether your set is proof, and to which standard (base, silver or gold proof), because that sets the basis of the valuation.
Yes, considerably — the coins are struck in sterling or fine silver, or in gold, so the set carries real precious-metal content well above the coins' nominal face values. That metal is a floor beneath the set. On top of it sits a collector premium where the edition is low and the set is complete and pristine with its certificate. Silver proof piedfort coins, which are struck on a double-thickness blank, hold extra silver again. We weigh the metal and assess the collector value together.
No — never open the capsules or clean proof coins. A proof's value lives in its flawless mirror surface, and a single fingerprint, a wipe with a cloth or removal from the capsule leaves marks that permanently lower the grade and the price. There is nothing to gain by cleaning and a great deal to lose. Leave every coin sealed exactly as issued, keep the set in its case, and send it as it is. We assess it in its original state.
Request your free label today. Metal weighed as a floor, edition, completeness and condition assessed, premium set out. Written valuation. Paid within 72 hours — or we add 3%.
Also see: Sell commemorative coins · Coin valuation · Sell silver coins