Coins - Proof Sets
1990-1999
The Proof Sets of the 90s began with continuing the purple sets from the 80s. But, beginning with 1990, the
purple coin specifications card now includes a Certificate of Authenticity printed on the opposite side.
In 1994, the US Mint changed colors from purple to green packaging. The green Proof Sets would be
distributed for 1994 through 1998. The Mint, however, made another change in the coin specifications and
Certificate of Authenticity for the green Proof Sets. The off white card printed with green ink is now on
a thinner but larger card stock and is folded in the middle.
In the last year of the 90s, the US Mint began their state quarters program which required a larger
box for the second lens. The Proof Sets of 1999 were in Liberty blue on white boxes.
For 1990 through 1998, the Proof Sets contained five coins - the Lincoln penny, the Jefferson nickel, the
Roosevelt dime, the Washington quarter and the Kennedy half dollar. In 1999, with the first five quarters of the
state quarters program, the Proof Sets included nine coins. The US Mint introduced five state quarters each year
starting in 1999 in the order the states joined the union.
The first five quarters in 1999 included Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut. Delaware
chose Caesar Rodney on horseback for the reverse of their quarter. The reverse of the Pennsylvania quarter shows
Liberty holding an eagle crowned staff aloft in front of an outline of the state. New Jersey highlighted their
"Crossroads of the Revolution" by showing Washington and his men crossing the Delaware river. Georgia's quarter's
reverse shows a peach within the state outline with "Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation" on a banner. Last,
Connecticut emphasized the Charter Oak on the reverse of their quarter.
Click on the individual year links below for more details, including pictures, about the Proof Sets and
their contents.
Year
|
Number
Minted
|
Issue Price
|
# of Coins
|
Face Value
|
Package Type
|
1990
|
2,793,433
|
$11.00
|
5
|
$0.91
|
Single lens in purple package |
1991
|
2,610,833
|
$11.00
|
5
|
$0.91
|
Single lens in purple package |
1992
|
2,675,618
|
$11.00
|
5
|
$0.91
|
Single lens in purple package |
1993
|
2,409,394
|
$12.50
|
5
|
$0.91
|
Single lens in purple package |
1994
|
2,308,701
|
$12.50
|
5
|
$0.91
|
Single lens in green package |
1995
|
2,010,384
|
$12.50
|
5
|
$0.91
|
Single lens in green package |
1996
|
2,085,191
|
$12.50
|
5
|
$0.91
|
Single lens in green package |
1997
|
1,975,000
|
$12.50
|
5
|
$0.91
|
Single lens in green package |
1998
|
2,078,494
|
$12.50
|
5
|
$0.91
|
Single lens in green package |
1999
|
2,543,401
|
$19.95
|
9
|
$1.91
|
Two lenses in a Liberty blue on white package |
|