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