Coins - 1990 Proof Set

For the 1990 proof set, the US Mint continued with the purple packaging of the previous six years. The annual proof set contained five proof coins with a face value of $0.91 and initially sold for $11. The proof coins included the Lincoln one cent, Jefferson five cent, Roosevelt ten cent, Washington quarter dollar and Kennedy half dollar.

1990 Proof Set Package

Textured purple card stock forms the outer box for the 1990 proof set. Silver-colored script along the top flap identifies the set as "United States Mint Proof Set • 1990." The purple color of the box is a mix of purple and burgundy. To hold the protective lens for the proof coins, the box dimensions are roughly 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches by 3/8 inch.

Silver-colored ink outlines the heraldic eagle from the Great Seal of the United States on the reverse of the proof set box. The eagle's talons hold an olive branch and arrows with a banner flowing from his beak with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" on it. Above the eagle's head, a circular design holds thirteen stars while the shield over his chest contains thirteen bars.

To access the proof set, the top flap with the written script opens from under the edge of the box. The proof set's protective lens holding the proof coins slides out of the box in order to view both the obverse and reverse sides of the coins.

1990 Proof Set Contents and Proof Coins

The 1990 proof set consists of the purple textured outer box, the protective lens holding the five proof coins and a pale purple card detailing the Proof Set Certificate of Authenticity and Coin Specifications.

Of particular interest in the 1990 proof set, a few sets contained a Lincoln cent without the "S" mintmark, the S-less proof cent. This occurred when the Philadelphia Mint sent a Lincoln cent die to San Francisco without a mintmark. The estimated number of S-less proof cent sets is over 3000, however since the variety is difficult to find, the number may be less.

Also in 1990, the US Mint continued their Prestige Proof Set program. The 1990 Prestige Proof Set contained the five regular proof coins along with a commemorative silver dollar honoring the 100th anniversary of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's birth.

The obverse of the 1990 proof set shows the five proof coins attractively arranged in their individual compartments in the purple card stock. The coins are held securely between two clear pieces of plastic. Just below the coins, raised letters in a clear script state "United States Mint Proof Set" across the bottom of the lens. In the upper left corner, clear block letters state "PACKAGED BY U.S. MINT."

Turning the protective lens over, the heraldic eagle is seen again molded in the clear plastic and centered above the reverse of the Kennedy half dollar. The various designs on the reverse of each coin are easily viewed through the protective lens.

Click on the 1990 Proof Set Certificate of Authenticity and Coin Specifications to view the details about the individual coins in the annual proof set.

1990 Proof Set Year Population and Cost of Living

The world population in 1990 was 5,289,040,477. This represents 77.2% of the world's population in 2010.

$100 in 1990 equals $166.84 in 2010 dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Inflation Calculator.

New houses in 1990 cost an average of $149,800 which would be $249,926 in 2010 dollars.

The average income was $21,028 per year which equals $35,083 in 2010 dollars.

Gas was $1.149 per gallon which would be $1.917 in 2010 money.

The average new car was $15,042 equivalent to $25,096 in 2010.

(Chart views into the cost of living changes throughout the Proof Set years)