1982 & 1986 Special Release 4 coin Commemorative Set

The interest in Special Release Half Dollars & Dollars has the US Mint bringing out a new thematic coins a few times a year. The 2011 issues include the US Army Silver (Half Dollar, Dollar & $5 Gold), the Medal of Honor (Dollar & $5 Gold) and the September 11 National Silver Medals. Each one of these authorized by Congress. The "fever" started 25 years ago with these modern issue firsts...

1982 George Washington Silver Half Dollar -The First
This commemorative half dollar was issued for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of our first President, George Washington. It is the first “Modern Issue” special release coin. It is also the first 90% silver coin issued by the US Mint since 1964. The US Mint released two versions: an uncirculated struck at the Denver Mint and a proof at the San Francisco Mint. The coin is a work of art ... the obverse Washington on horseback, the reverse Washington's home Mount Vernon.

1986 State of Liberty Half Dollar - the Second "First"
This commemorative half dollar was issued for the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty ... the symbol of America. As part of the program the US Mint released the first copper-clad special release half dollar. Like the Washington they made an Uncirculated version at the Denver Mint and a proof in San Francisco. The theme behind the half dollar was "heritage as a nation of immigrants." The obverse shows a ship of immigrants steaming into New York harbor with the Statue of Liberty greeting them, while the reverse features a family of immigrants on Ellis Island looking at the New York sky line.

It’s difficult to say which one is more significant or more beautiful ... today we don’t have to choose!

We put both firsts together-the George Washington and the State of Liberty. We've also included both versions in this set: the Uncirculated and the Proof. All are still in the original US Mint presentation just as they were released 25 years ago.