Coins - 1964 Proof Set

The 1964 Proof Set continued with the flat pack format using the brown envelope to encase the polyethylene sleeve protecting the coins. This was the last year of the flat pack proof set and the last year for the proof set until the US Mint resumed proof set production in 1968.

1964 Proof Set Package

The 1964 Proof Set included five coins in clear polyethylene coated mylar inside an envelope. The outer brown envelope measured 3.5 inches wide by 6 inches long. The upper left area, normally for the return address, shows:

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
UNITED STATES MINT
PHILADELPHIA PA. 19130

The lower left corner of the front of the envelope says: 1964 P.C. where P.C. means "Proof Coins."

The back of the 1964 proof set envelope did not contain any further identifying marks or printing.

The 1964 Proof Set package included five coins encased between two sheets of clear polyethylene coated mylar with each coin sealed in its own compartment. In addition, a sixth compartment held an octagonal seal of paper-backed silver foil. The blue design on the foil background shows US MINT and three stars inside a shield with PHILADELPHIA printed in a semi-circle underneath.

The 1964 Proof Set's Half Dollar, Quarter Dollar and Dime consisted of 90% silver and 10% copper. The five cent coin (nickel) was made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, and the cent was 95% copper and 5% zinc. This would be last year of the 90% silver half dollar, quarter dollar and dime.

1964 Proof Set Contents and Proof Coins

Two pieces of cardboard formed a sandwich around the flat coin set.

The proof set also included a message from the US Mint.

The text states:

Your U.S. Proof Coins have been carefully inspected, and then sealed in a transparent envelope. This package was designed to prevent or delay tarnishing and discoloration. Nevertheless, sooner or later tarnishing may occur. Care in handling and storing will help to prolong the newly-minted luster of the coins; heat and direct sunlight are especially harmful.

Please do not ask us to make exchanges or adjustments.

If there should appear - what may seem to you - a defect or scratch on a coin - it is, no doubt, a crease in the packaging material. We tell you this to save us both unnecessary correspondence.

Superintendent,
U.S. Mint,
Philadelphia, Pa. 

The obverse of the 1964 proof coins:

The reverse of the proof coins:

Half Dollar:

The 1964 half dollar was the first occurrence of the John F. Kennedy portrait. Kennedy's portrait facing left was developed by chief engraver, Gilroy Roberts, very quickly after the president's assassination. The words on the obverse include "LIBERTY" around the top and "IN GOD WE TRUST" across the bottom of the portrait with the date at the bottom of the coin. The coin's reverse includes the heraldic eagle from the presidential coat of arms. "UNITED STATES oF AMERICA" circles the top portion with "HALF DOLLAR" at the bottom. "E Pluribus Unum" can be found on the ribbon held by the eagle.
Obverse Designer: Gilroy Roberts
Reverse Designer: Frank Gasparro

You can read more from the US Mint about the Story of the Kennedy Half Dollar.

Quarter Dollar:

In 1964, the obverse design included the portrait of George Washington and the words: "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date. The US Mint introduced the quarter dollar with the portrait of our first president in 1932 to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of his birth. On the reverse, an eagle stands with wings outspread clutching a bunch of arrows in its talons with two olive sprays crossed beneath his tail feathers. The words on the reverse include: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "QUARTER DOLLAR."
Obverse Designer: John Flanagan
Reverse Designer: John Flanagan

Dime:

The 1964 dime's obverse shows an image of President Franklin Roosevelt. After his death in 1945 and many requests to honor the late president, the US Mint released the Roosevelt dime on the late president's birth date in 1946. The words on the obverse include "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the year. The coin's reverse shows an olive branch, a torch and an oak branch with the words "E PLURIBUS UNUM" across them. The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" flow around the top of the reverse with "ONE DIME" on the bottom.
Obverse Designer: John Sinnock
Reverse Designer: John Sinnock

Five Cents (Nickel):

The US Mint produced the first Jefferson nickels in 1938. The portrait of Jefferson on the coin's obverse copied the portrait painted by Rembrandt Peale in 1800. Jefferson faces left in the portrait with the profile showing his prominent forehead and colonial hair. The words on the face of the coin say "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY" and the year. The 1964 nickel's reverse shows Jefferson's historic home, Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" fits above Monticello, and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "MONTICELLO" and "FIVE CENTS" show below the home.
Obverse Designer: Felix Schlag
Reverse Designer: Felix Schlag

Cent (Penny):

The US Mint presented Abraham Lincoln's image on the obverse of the one cent coin in 1909 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary year of his birth. The image shows Lincoln facing to the right in the portrait with his iconic beard, suit coat and tie. The motto, "IN GOD WE TRUST" was first introduced on coins with the Lincoln cent. The coin's obverse also includes "LIBERTY" and the date. The 1964 cent's reverse showing the Lincoln Memorial was young at the time after being first introduced on the cent in 1959 replacing the wheat ears. On the reverse, the inscription says "UNITED STATES oF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "ONE CENT."
Obverse Designer: Victor D. Brenner
Reverse Designer: Frank Gasparro

1964 Proof Set Year Population and Cost of Living

The world population in 1964 was 3,280,976,742. This represents 47.9% of the world's population in 2010.

$100 in 1964 equals $703.41 in 2010 dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Inflation Calculator.

New houses in 1964 cost an average of $20,500 which would be $144,199 in 2010 dollars.

The average income was $4,576 per year which equals $32,190 in 2010 dollars.

Gas was $0.304 per gallon which would be $2.138 in 2010 money.

The average new car was $2,771 equivalent to $19,492 in 2010.

(Chart views into the cost of living changes throughout the Proof Set years)