These treasured 1971-2000 Original U.S. Mint Proof Sets are a collector’s dream come true. You get a full 30 years’ worth of consecutively dated Proof Sets, all of which were sold out from the Mint many years ago. Presented within their original government packaging, each set contains a Kennedy half-dollar, Washington quarter, Roosevelt dime, Jefferson nickel and Lincoln penny. Some of these sets were issued with 6 coins and will also include a Susan B. Anthony Dollar or Eisenhower Dollar. Proof sets are one of the most popular and eagerly awaited coin sets released by the U.S. Mint every year. Original packaged United States proof sets are highly coveted by collectors and are all sold out limited editions from the United States Mint.
Made from specially polished planchets and polished dies, these coins are sure to be a magnificent addition to your collection. Minted exclusively in San Francisco, proof coins can usually be distinguished by their sharpness of detail, high-wire edge and extremely brilliant, mirror-like surface.
–Includes the difficult-to-find 1995 proof set.
–Each set includes either 5 or six coins depending on whether a dollar coin was minted that year
–The 1976 proof set is a special selection commemorating the U.S. bicentennial year 1776-1976. It contains three “S” mint mark coins with Bicentennial reverse designs (a quarter, half dollar, and Eisenhower silver dollar). You won’t find these in circulation because each is made of 40% silver.
Half Cents Are Still Elusive
Half-cents were made during that same time span, and they were some of the very first coins made in 1793 as well as some of the last made in 1857. However they differ greatly from the cents in that they were only made sporadically over the years, while cents were produced in quantity every year except in 1815. The fact that half cents were not made with a long run of dates probably accounts for the reason why they have never been a popular collectible item. the challenge of finding a full set of dates seems to be one of the most rewarding parts of saving coins.
The reason for this coin’s lack of acceptance by the public was not because of its low value. At the time they were in use the purchasing power of these coins must have been equivalent to a half dollar in terms of today’s money. With no
other fractional coins at hand the half-cent should have been extremely useful.
Perhaps it was because so few of those coins were available they saw only limited circulation. Perhaps it was because most small transactions were usually carried out by barter rather than with coins. Whatever the reason, we can only know today that the mintage was always limited, and many of the surviving specimens are still in relatively good condition.