While gold and silver prices have been gyrating dramatically during the past few months, one collecting area that has remained solid surrounds Proof and Mint sets, with steadily increasing demand for 2008-S Proof sets providing some buyers with easy profits.

On a weekly basis, prices for a specific set can ebb and flow based on demand from major wholesalers putting together quantities for promotions. Once the orders are filled, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, the demand subsides.

This kind of minor price changing takes a while to reach the retail market.

2008-S Proof sets provide an interesting example of this type of set-specific demand.

Over the passing months, demand has been so strong for 2008-S Proof sets, and quantities so limited, that wholesale demand has had a dramatic impact on retail prices.

Just two years ago, a collector could buy 2008-S Proof sets for the issue price of $44.95. The set has 14 coins including the final five 50 State quarter dollars. The wholesale price on the sets is currently around $80, although examples are selling on eBay for less.

The demand for the 2008-S Silver Proof set is less pronounced, with a wholesale price of around $55 with eBay transactions hovering around the same level.

Other sets are shockingly cheap right now. For example, currently one can put together large quantities of some common Proof sets, with 1982, 1985 and 1987 sets trading at less than $4 at the wholesale level.

Many Uncirculated Mint sets are trading at the $3 level. Such "cheapness" allows for hearty markups for retailers who sell these sets to the public.

However, several retail dealers with shops who Coin World has talked to in recent months report that their inventory of Proof and Mint sets is piling up, as people readily sell such easily replaceable items and not enough collectors are actively assembling sets.

Some retail dealers are even reluctant to purchase low value Proof and Mint sets, as it is tough to make money buying and selling a set that sells for $4.