1999 1st Year State Quarter Proof & Mint Sets

This item consists of both the US Proof and Mint Sets.

The proof coins in this set were struck at the San Francisco Mint and includes the following 9 coins: Cent, Nickel, Dime, 5 State Quarters (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia & Connecticut) and Half Dollar. The term Proof refers to a method of manufacture and NOT the condition of a coin. Proof coins can usually be distinguished by their sharpness of detail, high wire edge, and extremely brilliant - mirror like surface. Proof coins are made from highly polished dies. The coinage blanks are also polished and cleaned. They are hand fed into a coinage press one at a time, with each blank receiving 2 or more strikes from the dies to bring up sharp - high relief details. It is done at slow speeds with extra pressure. Finished Proofs are individually inspected and handled by gloves or tongs prior to being placed in sonically sealed plastic cases.

The United States Mint released the 1st official "Uncirculated" Mint set in 1947. It was introduced to give coin collectors the opportunity to acquire ALL denominations and mints that were released into circulation per year, per coinage issue. Unlike the Proof Sets, these are normal coins intended for circulation. The "Official" packaging is the United States Mint's stamp of authenticity as to the condition of the coins.

This 1999 United States Mint set is the 40th year of issue. The U.S. Mint set took on a whole new look in 1999 ... it was the 1st year of the U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarter Program. This set includes the Cent, Nickel, Dime, Half Dollar and the 1st five 50 State Quarters: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. All struck at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints...a total of 18 coins in all.