The 2014 United States Mint Silver Proof Set®, one of the most popular collector products from the Mint with several hundred thousand expected to sell, was released today, April 29, 2014.

It’s a pricier set because it has 14 coins with 7 of them in 90% silver — the Kennedy half, Roosevelt dime and the five 2014 National Park Quarters commemorating Great Smoky Mountains National Park of Tennessee, Shenandoah National Park of Virginia, Arches National Park of Utah, Great Sand Dunes National Park of Colorado and Everglades National Park of Florida.

The silver weight of the five National Park Quarters, the 50-cent piece and the dime total 1.38 troy ounces for a silver value today of about $26. Collector coins and sets always carry premiums, but the silver value adds more to the Mint’s pricing. Then, of course, there is the actual legal tender value of the 14 coins which totals $6.91 — $5.06 of that from the non-silver issues.

A set may be purchased today for $53.95 from the Mint’s website (www.usmint.gov/catalog). Orders are also accepted at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Also in the Silver Proof Set is the Lincoln cent, Jefferson nickel, Native American dollar, and four Presidential dollars depicting Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

This set is not the only way to get silver versions of the 2014 National Park Quarters. Earlier in the year, on Jan 21, the Mint began selling the exact same 90% silver quarters. The product, entitled the 2014 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set™, is still on sale for $31.95. So, if you just want the 2014 quarters in silver, this option is the route to go.

There is another U.S. Mint product worth mentioning, the 2014 United States Mint Proof Set® that launched on Jan. 21 for $31.95. This is a very popular non-silver annual release for collectors. It has the same 14 coins as the 2014 Silver Proof Set but all of them are struck in standard clad compositions, just like those found in circulation.

All the sets discussed in this article have coins in proof quality, meaning they are specially struck for collectors. Each features sharp reliefs and mirror-like backgrounds. Also, all these sets are produced at the United States Mint in San Francisco. Each coin will carry the ‘S’ mint mark. Coins struck for circulation and used in commerce come from the Denver Mint or Philadelphia Mint.

One other upcoming U.S. Mint product will include the same 90% silver National Park Quarters, the 2014 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set for $139.95. It will also have the Kennedy half and Roosevelt dime in silver, as well as a proof American Eagle silver coin. The Mint does not yet have a release date for this set.