U.S. Mint Uncirculated Coin Set
The 1964 Mint Set (Buy on eBay) is an important issue for a number of reasons. Sales of the set soared to new heights, continuing the recent trend which was perhaps accelerated by the inclusion of a new coin design. The sets would also represent the last 90% silver circulating coins and the last issue before a hiatus in the standard product line.
Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, legislation was quickly passed which allowed the fallen leader to be commemorated on a circulating coin design. The first year of issue for the new Kennedy Half Dollar was in heavy demand from both collectors and the general public. The design switch is often attributed to the decline in usage for the denomination within circulation, as many began to save their half dollars rather than spend them.
Examples of the new half dollars struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mint were included within each 1964 Mint Set. The remaining contents were the Washington Quarters, Roosevelt Dimes, Jefferson Nickels, and Lincoln Cents from each respective mint. Collectively, these coins have a face value of $1.82 and silver content of 1.22974 troy ounces.
Heavy demand for the sets resulted in an influx of mail orders and lines at sales centers at each mint. Order limits would be imposed and lowered. Final sales would tally 1,008,108 sets. This was the first time the product sold more than one million units. Unknown at the time of issue, this would also be the last standard mint set issued until 1968. For the following three years, the regular Mint Set and Proof Set were suspended, coinciding with the switch from 90% silver coinage to clad coinage. In place of these products, the U.S. Mint offered Special Mint Sets.
The 1964 Mint Set carried the standard packaging style that had been adopted five years prior. The coins from each mint were sealed within plastic cellophane holders with a cardboard mint disc. These were placed together with a protective cardboard into an outer envelope marked with the contents.
1964 Mint Set Information
- Coins per Set: 10
- Face Value: $1.82
- Original Issue Price: $2.40
- Mintage: 1,008,108
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