Coins - 1990 Mint
Set
The US Mint packaged the 1990 mint set in a pale tan envelope with images of the five uncirculated coins and the
two medals on the front and included ten uncirculated coins in two pliofilm sleeves inside. The mint
set held five uncirculated coins from Denver and five coins from the Philadelphia mint. Each mint
produced uncirculated versions of the Kennedy half dollar, Washington quarter, Roosevelt dime,
Jefferson nickel and Lincoln penny coins for the 1990 annual mint set.
Images of the five coins and the two tokens are clustered on the left side of the front of the mint set envelope
and contrast with the pale tan color. On the right, the mint set is identified by "The United States Mint 1990
Uncirculated Coin Set" over the Treasury Department's black and white seal. Below the seal is the added
information, "With D And P Mint Marks."
1990 Mint Set Package
The back of the envelope shows a plain, pale tan surface with a straight closure at the top and no
additional identifying marks or text.
Inside the envelope, the 1990 mint set contents included the uncirculated coins in two pliofilm sleeves, an
insert describing the coins and a reorder form on a separate card.
1990 Mint Set Uncirculated Coins
The two pliofilm sleeves each include five coins and one mint token. On the left, the five coins from the
Denver mint with its "D" token are in the red-edged pliofilm. The blue-edged pliofilm on the right holds
the five coins from the Philadelphia mint with their corresponding token.
In the red-edged pliofilm, the obverse of the mint token for Denver shows "Uncirculated" and
"Denver" around the rim with "D" in the middle.
Similarly, the mint token for the Philadelphia uncirculated coins shows
"Uncirculated" and "Philadelphia" with "P" in the middle in the blue-edged pliofilm.
Each pliofilm in the mint set contains six sealed compartments to keep the coins and mint
tokens protected from each other. The compartments' size allow the coins to
rotate freely.
Through the back side of the pliofilm sleeves, the reverse images on the coins and
tokens can be seen through the clear protective film.
Both of the identifying tokens have the same reverse image which includes the US Mint
seal.
1990 Mint Set Insert and Certificate of Authenticity
The front of the insert in the 1990 mint set shows the obverse images of the five coins and two tokens
along with other collectibles — stamps, a sports card and a political button — on a wood-grained
background. In the upper left, the insert is titled, "The 1990 U.S. Mint Uncirculated Coin Set."
The US Mint used more pictures of the coins and collectibles inside the insert in the 1990 mint set. The
commentary in the insert provides historical information about the mint and about each of the five
uncirculated coins included in the mint set.
The back of the folded insert titled "Specifications — 1990 U.S. Mint Uncirculated
Coin Set" identifies the artists, the size, the metals and the weight of the five uncirculated coins
in the mint set.
To increase sales and to make it easy to obtain more mint sets, the US Mint included a "Reorder
Form" inside the 1990 mint sets. (Note: this card is no longer valid, but it helps cushion the coins in the
envelope.)
The opposite side of the card advises how to complete the order form and where to
send the form along with payment.
Larger images of the 1990 mint set insert show
the contents of the insert and the coin specifications with more detail.
1990 Mint Set Coins and Metals
The coins of the 1990 Mint Set contained the following metals:
Penny: copper-plated zinc, 2.5% copper; 97.5% zinc
Nickel: 25% nickel; 75% copper
Dime: 91.67% copper; 8.33% nickel
Quarter: 91.67% copper; 8.33% nickel
Half 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 mint
set values compare among the sets across the years.
1990 Mint Set Year - News about Coins and the US Mint
(note: the below links to newspapers open in a new window)
Eisenhower coin unveiling Tuesday in Gettysburg
Gettysburg Times - Jan 12, 1990
The new dollar commemorating the late President Eisenhower's 100th birthday will be released on Tuesday, January
16, at the Gettysburg National Military Park. Representative Bill Goodling who was the original sponsor of the
coin's legislation said, "The coin was minted to honor Dwight D. Eisenhower, a great president, an outstanding
general and, in his retirement years, a cherished member of our community."
USMA Mint to strike Ike centennial coin
The Evening News - Jan 25, 1990
The US Military Academy Mint will strike the uncirculated Eisenhower centennial coins which seems fitting as the
late general and President graduated from the Military Academy. The uncirculated coins will bear the "W" mint mark
and will initially sell at $23 through the pre-issue date of February 23. Afterwards, the proof and uncirculated
coins can be purchased individually or as part of the 1990 Prestige Set at participating banks and retail
locations.
US Mint wary of proposed Columbus coin
The Spokesman-Review - Jan 30, 1990
People in Congress propose a new dollar coin for circulation that would include an image honoring Christopher
Columbus. But, after the Susan B. Anthony dollar, the US Mint is skeptical of the new coin. The arguments for the
new dollar coins are very similar to those for the Anthony dollar ten years ago. Over 400 million of the Anthony
dollars reside in vaults. People will not readily accept a dollar coin unless the paper dollar no longer
exists.
Advance Ike dollar orders give collectors a discount
The Vindicator - Feb 4, 1990
"Counting die varieties, mint marks, collector editions and general circulation strikes, a numismatist needs 32
different Ike dollars to have a complete collection." That describes the first Eisenhower dollar that was minted
for circulation during 1971 through 1978. The new Eisenhower dollar is a commemorative issue authorized by Congress
to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the late President's birth. The proof versions will be minted in Philadelphia
and the uncirculated coins in West Point.
Coiner of pocket sculpture honored
Toledo Blade - Jun 24, 1990
Frank Gasparro, the man who made more money than any man in history, was honored last week at the Samuel S.
Fleisher Art Memorial where he once studied and where he taught sculpture for 35 years. Ironically, he received the
school's first Founder's Award medal, which he designed. To numismatists, he is well known for the Lincoln Memorial
on the penny, the John F. Kennedy half dollar, the Susan B. Anthony dollar, the Eisenhower dollar and coins for
Cuba and the Philippines.
Rushmore coins win approval
The Free Lance-Star - Jun 30, 1990
The Senate gave final approval for the US Mint to strike commemorative coins next year to finance a face lift for
the Mount Rushmore carving. Extreme temperatures in South Dakota have caused cracks across the sculpted faces with
the worst across George Washington's face. The Mint is authorized to produce 500,000 $5 gold coins, 2,500,000
silver dollars and 2,500,000 cupronickel half dollar coins. Surcharges of $35, $7 and $1 on the coins,
respectively, will contribute to the repairs.
Error coin proofs worth pretty penny
Eugene Register-Guard - Aug 30, 1990
Before the error was discovered, 3,555 of the 1990 proof sets were struck that contain a penny without the "S" mint
mark. Already, collectors are paying over 100 times the issue price of $11 to obtain these error sets. One dealer
predicted the sets would be worth $10,000 within ten years.
The 1990 Mint Set Year included news of several commemorative coins including the Eisenhower commemorative
silver dollar, the Columbus Quincentenary commemorative coins and the Mount Rushmore commemorative coins.
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