1964 US Proof and Mint Set Pair

Even though all proof and mint sets are spectacular collector’s pieces, there are a few years that stand above the rest… and it is hard to get more iconic than the Proof and Mint sets released in 1964!

The massive popularity of these sets stemmed from the fact that 1964 was the last time the U.S. Mint would produce a regular issue 90% Silver Proof and Mint Set – making them the Last of their Kind, and an important date in the U.S. Mint Proof and Mint Set Series’!

We recently came across a small hoard of these stunning last-of-their-kind Proof and Mint Sets out at a few coin shows in the Midwest and are proud to announce they are finally back in stock!

But wait, it gets even better! Our 1964 Proof and Mint sets are more than $80 less than our competition!

The Last of its Kind: The End of 90% Silver!

What makes these Proof and Mint sets so popular is that they contain one example of every design issued that year for each denomination issued for circulation... from the Cent through the Half Dollar, and in today’s sets the Dollar.

The United States Mint’s decision to end 90% Silver coinage stemmed from the fact that the world market was changing drastically (Much like it is today!). As the price of silver was rising in the early 1960's the United States Mint had to shift its focus to keeping an ample supply of coins in circulation...this led to the mint's decision to no longer create Mint and Proof sets with silver coins.

This change made the pair of sets minted in 1964 the last of their kind and an absolute collector’s dream!

The 1964 Mint Set

The 1964 United States Mint set includes six silver coins: the Roosevelt Dime, Washington Quarter and Kennedy Half Dollar from both the Philadelphia & Denver Mints. The 1964 mint set was also the first year of the Kennedy Half Dollar as circulating coinage…giving this set the dual distinction of being both the last 90% silver mint set while also having the only Uncirculated 90% Silver Kennedy that was not released in a special collectors set!

The Proof Set

The Proof Set contains the highest quality coins struck each year by the United States Mint. This is accomplished by using a specialized minting process in which they are double struck, leaving the coins with an absolutely razor sharp image and a deep mirror-like field. The United States Proof Sets, much like their Mint Set brethren, consist of one proof-version of each coin struck in each denomination released into circulation during that year.