Greater Atlanta Coin Show
     2016, our 29th year
       of monthly coin shows

  coin show and coin information for collectors and investors
 

Products showing Modern Commemorative Coins on the Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

Coins - 1979 Mint Set

The 1979 mint set, the first to include the new Anthony dollar, contained twelve uncirculated coins in two pliofilm sleeves, one for coins from Denver, the other from Philadelphia. Each sleeve contained a dollar, half dollar, quarter, dime, nickel and one-cent coin. The coins made of copper, nickel and zinc alloys did not contain any silver.  

A sturdy white envelope with "US MINT" and "1979 Uncirculated Coin" in bold, blue font in the upper left corner held the uncirculated coins of the 1979 mint set.

1979 Mint Set Package

1979 Mint Set 

The mint set consisted of the two pliofilm sleeves cushioned between two pieces of cardstock to help protect the coins.

1979 Mint Set open 

1979 Mint Set Uncirculated Coins

On the left, the red-edged pliofilm sleeve holds the coins from the Denver mint. The coins minted in Philadelphia show on the right in the blue-edged sleeve.

In earlier years, the blue-edged sleeve contained coins from both Philadelphia and San Francisco. But, though the new Susan B. Anthony dollar was also minted for circulation at the San Francisco mint, the US Mint decided not to change the pliofilm sleeves to include a third dollar in the 1979 mint set.

Per the US Mint, the ratio of the dollar to the quarter is supposed to be roughly the same as the quarter to the nickel. But, at a glance, the difference is difficult to discern.

1979 Mint Set obverse 

Six compartments in each sleeve seal the coins to keep them contained separately. The coins rotate within their sealed compartment to form different relative positions. 

Viewed from the back, the six different reverse designs on the six different coins can be easily seen through the clear pliofilm. Again, a closer look is needed to determine which is the quarter and which is the dollar.

1979 Mint Set reverse  

1979 Mint Set Coins and Metals

The coins of the 1979 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: 91.67% copper; 8.33% nickel
Dollar: 91.67% copper; 8.33% nickel

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.

1979 Mint Set Year - News about Coins and the US Mint

(note: the below links to newspapers open in a new window)

New dollar coin about size of a quarter 
The Modesto Bee - Feb 3, 1979
The US Mint introduced the new dollar coin on Friday, though the Treasury Secretary did note that the smaller size of the coin symbolizes its reduced buying power. The new dollar coin should last 15 years in circulation as compared to the paper dollar bill which lasts about a year and a half.

Coin Collectors to Be Shortchanged by US Mint Sets
The Evening News - Mar 18, 1979
Even though mint sets include examples of the circulating coins produced by each of the three mints, this year's mint set will not include a the Anthony dollar minted in San Francisco. Mint officials claim that it would be too much trouble to alter the pliofilm packets to include the dollar struck in San Francisco.

Medallion Designer Seeks to Capture Wayne Image 
The Press-Courier - Jun 14, 1979
Frank Gasparro, chief designer and engraver of the US Mint, works to capture the likeness of one of his childhood heroes, John Wayne. Congress authorized Wayne's medal and President Carter approved it on May 26. Unfortunately, The Duke passed away before the medal could be completed. The three-inch gold medal will be presented to Wayne's family when it is finished. Many letters have arrived at the Mint asking for replicas to be made available for the public.

US Mint Halts Orders For Current Proof Set
Reading Eagle - Jun 24, 1979
The Mint began accepting orders for the 1979 proof set on April 2. By May 11, the maximum production quota was reached. Approximately 3.7 million orders were received at an average of 100,000 per day. In the fall, the Mint will begin accepting orders for the 12-coin uncirculated sets. New this year will be the "P" mint mark on the Anthony dollar minted in Philadelphia.

New dollar rated low 
Mid Cities Daily News - Jul 4, 1979
Even though the new dollar will save the government and taxpayers money, its success lies in its public acceptance as noted by the Director of the Mint. Local bankers predict the dollar will be unpopular and will be difficult to handle. One issue, in particular, for banks is the additional equipment needed to handle the new coin.

Anthony buck given a two-dollar welcome 
The Bulletin - Jul 4, 1979
Neither the Thomas Jefferson $2 bill nor the Susan B. Anthony $1 coin have been embraced by the American public. One bank clerk said, "They like them, we hate them." In this case "they" referred to the US Mint. A store cashier commented that the cash register drawers do not include a slot for the new coins.

Mint Director Promotes Coin 
Toledo Blade - Jul 12, 1979
To help people "get used to" the new dollar coin, the Director of the Mint is promoting the new coin around the country. The US Mint has a promotion budget of $3 million which is being matched by the Federal Reserve. Per the Director, the only negative aspect has been its comparison to the quarter, but its size relative to the quarter is the same as the quarter is to the nickel.

Road Mishap Costs a Mint 
Spokane Daily Chronicle - Sep 20, 1979
A big rig driver fell asleep at the wheel while hauling $800,000 of quarters from the Denver mint to the San Francisco Federal Reserve. After clipping a parked truck and ripping open the side of the trailer, quarters poured out for a quarter of a mile.

Even US Mint confused by new Anthony dollar
The Bulletin - Oct 10, 1979
When she opened her new 1979 uncirculated set, she noticed something odd about the Denver pliofilm. Instead of the dollar, half dollar, quarter, dime, nickel and penny coins, she found a second quarter in the dollar compartment. She's not sure if she will return the set for one with the correct coins.

Turning Susan Green 
The Pittsburgh Press - Oct 23, 1979
To help alleviate the coin's unpopularity, the US Mint is considering changing the coin's colors. But, early experiments have turned the coin green. Perhaps that's good since people associate green with well-managed currencies.

About Retail Side Of The US Mint 
Waycross Journal-Herald - Oct 27, 1979
The US Mint produces circulating coinage for the Federal Reserve Banks to distribute as needed to bank branches. But, the Mint also has retail sales such as the new John Wayne medal, a replica of the gold medal presented to Wayne's family. They also produce proof sets and mint sets for the many coin collectors on their mailing lists.

Silver dollar may change to gold 
The Spokesman-Review - Nov 16, 1979
Early tests to change the color were unsuccessful, but per the Director of the Mint, they are researching changing the color to gold to make it easier to distinguish against the quarter.

The 1979 Mint Set Year included news of the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin distribution and confusion with the quarter coin. 

Follow Us on Twitter @atlcoin

Join atlcoin on facebook

Marine Corps Commemorative Dollar on the Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

 

 

Ultra High Relief $20 Gold Tile Coaster on the Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

 

 

 

 

Stone Mountain Money Clip on Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

 

 

CoinMapsUSA.com Main Page

 

10% off

 

 

World's Columbian Cufflinks on Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

 

 

Illinois Centennial Half Dollar Keychain on the Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe