Coins - 1969 Mint
Set
The 1969 Mint Set included two pliofilm sleeves with ten uncirculated coins representing the coin production
from the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco mints. The mint set included one 40% silver half dollar, two each
of the quarter, dime and nickel, and three one cent coins.
The 1969 mint set was packaged in a plain white envelope. The lower left corner identifies the set
as "1969 — U. C." The upper left corner includes the address of the United States Assay Office
in San Francisco (the mint).
1969 Mint Set Package
The two pliofilm sleeves hold the mint set coins sandwiched between two pieces of cardstock inside the
envelope. The cardstock may have begun as a white or off-white, but the years have yellowed the paper.
1969 Mint Set Uncirculated Coins
The red-edged pliofilm contains the five coins minted in Denver and includes a token printed with red ink.
The Philadelphia coins and the San Francisco penny are in the blue edged pliofilm with a blue printed
token.
Within the mint set's individual compartments, the coins can freely move allowing them to rotate.
Thus, the positions can vary from coin to coin unlike a rigid lens.
The coins' reverse images can be readily seen through the clear pliofilm. The tokens identifying
the mints show the same printing on the obverse and reverse views.
The red printed token in the 1969 mint set identifies that sleeve as having "Coins of the
Denver Mint."
Similarly, the blue printed token shows "Coins of the Philadelphia Mint & San Francisco Assay Office."
The San Francisco facility primarily minted proof coins, however they did produce pennies for circulation and for
the uncirculated mint sets.
1969 Mint Set Coins and Metals
The coins of the 1969 Mint Set contained the following metals:
Penny: 95% copper; 5% zinc
Nickel: 75% copper; 25% nickel
Dime: 91.67% copper; 8.33% nickel
Quarter: 91.67% copper; 8.33% nickel
Half Dollar: 60% copper; 40% silver (.1479 troy ounce of pure silver)
Click on Mint Set Population to view the contents of the sets
through the years. Take a look at the overall Mint Set page to see how the values
compare among the sets.
1969 Mint Set Year - News about Coins and the US Mint
(note: the below links to newspapers open in a new window)
Striking Coins For Hoarders?
The Windsor Star - Feb 11, 1969
The Joint Commission on Coinage recommended legislation to change the 40% silver half dollar to a cupronickel clad
coin. Though it is expected that Congress will approve such legislation, in the meantime the US Mint will continue
to produce the half dollars at an authorized rate of 100 million per year.
Seigniorage Dates Back To 1790
Youngstown Vindicator - Mar 9, 1969
After explaining that 'seiniorage' means the profits from minting coins, the article goes on to explain profits
from the early days of the US Mint along with the ups and downs in seigniorage through the more recent years.
Nixon Names Women
Daytona Beach Morning Journal - Mar 29, 1969
President Nixon named two women to positions in the Treasury Department. Dorothy Elston will be the Treasurer of
the United States, and her signature will be on paper money. Mary Brooks will be the Director of the Mint.
Collect Eagles On Coins
Toledo Blade - Apr 19, 1969
The article suggests people should look at the variety of eagles on US coins and begin collecting them. At a high
level, the author provides background on the eagles minted on coins through the years.
New Philadelphia Mint Dedication is Aug 14
The Evening Independent - Aug 8, 1969
The upcoming week will be important for numismatists. The new Philadelphia mint will be dedicated. On the heels of
the dedication, the American Numismatic Society will hold its five day convention in Philadelphia.
Nothing Coins Faster Than New US Mint
The Milwaukee Journal - Aug 8, 1969
In a few days, the new $37 million mint will be dedicated in Philadelphia. The new mint is longer than two football
fields and covers a city block. Its split-level design with five levels contains 5 1/2 acres of floor space. The
building cost $18 million and the remaining $19 million bought new equipment. One new machine mints pennies at
10,000 per minute or 166 per second. They plan to add more of the new machines for minting the other coins as
well.
Lady Mint Director Leaving
St. Petersburg Times - Aug 30, 1969
Even though her replacement, another woman, was named early in the year, Eva Adams remained as Director of the Mint
until after the new Philadelphia mint was finished, dedicated and operating. During her packing, she took time to
reminisce about her years as the director - her challenges and her successes.
Idaho Woman Takes Control of US Mint
Lewiston Morning Tribune - Sep 19, 1969
Secretary of the Treasury, David M. Kennedy, administered the oath of office to the 28th Director of the Mint and
the third woman director, Mary T. Brooks of Idaho. As one of her first actions, she implored women to help put the
pennies stored in closets back into circulation.
US 1970-S Proof Sets now limited to five
The Windsor Star - Nov 10, 1969
Nov 1, 1969 was proof set day for the San Francisco mint. No orders post marked prior to Nov 1 were accepted. The
last year's maximum of 20 sets per order quickly exceeded the 3,000,000 sets the mint can produce. Orders this year
will be limited to five proof sets to allow a wider distribution of the sets.
The 1969 Mint Set Year news included a new mint in Philadelphia changes in the leadership of the Mint.
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