Coins - 1997 Mint
Set
The 1997 mint set contained ten uncirculated coins, five from Denver and five from Philadelphia, and two mint
mark tokens, one for each mint, with the coins held in two protective Mylar sleeves. The five uncirculated
coins included the Kennedy half dollar, Washington quarter, Roosevelt dime, Jefferson nickel and Lincoln
penny.
The 1997 mint set arrived in a blue and white envelope. The blue rectangle on the front contained a
large "1997" in a pale blue decorative script. Over the year, the mint set was identified with "The United
States Mint 1997 Mint Uncirculated Coin Set" in white letters. An abstract pattern of blue, gray and white
decorated the background.
1997 Mint Set Package
The back of the envelope contained more of the abstract design which looks like different liquids - maybe oil
and water - that do not mix. No other text was placed on the back of the envelope.
Inside the 1997 mint set, two Mylar sleeves held the uncirculated coins and mint mark tokens.
An informational insert provided a message from the US Mint about the mint set and a separate card made
it easy to order more of the 1997 mint sets.
1997 Mint Set Uncirculated Coins
The Mylar sleeve holding the uncirculated coins and the mint mark token from the Denver mint has the red edges
on the left. The blue edged sleeve on the right holds the uncirculated coins and mint mark token from the
Philadelphia mint.
On its obverse, the Denver mint mark token shows "Uncirculated" and "Denver"
around the rim with a large "D" in the middle.
For the Philadelphia mint mark token, "Uncirculated" and "Philadelphia" circles the edge
and contains a large "P" in the middle.
Six separate cells in each Mylar sleeve keep the five uncirculated coins and the mint mark
token protected from each other and from fingerprints. Though sealed, each cell is larger than the coin it holds
allowing freedom of movement.
Turning the clear Mylar sleeves over, the reverse images of the uncirculated coins can be seen
through the back.
The mint mark tokens contain the same reverse image of the Treasury Department's seal for the
US Mint.
1997 Mint Set Insert and Certificate of Authenticity
The informational insert in the 1997 mint set continues the abstract design across the top three-fourths of
the front. Along the bottom, United States Mint identification is centered in a white area and includes another US
Mint seal.
Inside of the 1997 mint set's informational insert, a pale blue-gray color provides a background for another US
Mint seal and the message about the uncirculated coins.
The back of the informational insert is titled "United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set" with a
smaller subtitle of "Specifications." The chart below contains the coin specifications which
include the artists, the size, the metals and the weight of the five uncirculated coins in the mint
set.
The US Mint added a separate card inside the 1997 mint set with the information to order
additional sets easily. (Note: this card is no longer valid, but it helps cushion the coins in the
envelope.)
The opposite side of the reorder form includes the instructions for completing and sending the
card along with payment to obtain more of the 1997 mint sets.
Larger images of the 1997 mint set insert show
the contents of the insert and the coin specifications with more detail.
1997 Mint Set Coins and Metals
The coins of the 1997 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.
1997 Mint Set Year - News about Coins and the US Mint
(note: the below links to newspapers open in a new window)
US production of coins declining
The Day - Mar 6, 1997
The Director of the US Mint told a House subcommittee that demand for coins goes down before the peak of an
economic cycle. Currently, the US Mint sees reduced demand, and their coin production is falling. The Director
quickly commented that the correlation was an observation and not statistically strong enough to drive investment
decisions.
Robinson on 'real high' despite whirlwind schedule
The Day - May 9, 1997
Fifty years ago, Jackie Robinson became the first black player on a major league team. He died in 1972, but his
widow has been making the rounds of the various celebrations recognizing her late husband's contributions. The US
Mint produced commemorative coins with his likeness on a silver dollar and a five dollar gold coin.
New quarter designs cleared
Today's News-Herald - Sep 10, 1997
Legislation cleared the House Banking subcommittee for the US Mint to begin producing state quarters in 1999.
Washington's portrait will remain and the heraldic eagle will be replaced with designs commemorating each state.
After media speculation last year on the potential designs portraying current sports icons, the legislation
includes the stipulation that "no portrait of a living person shall be included in any design."
US Mint produces nation's first-ever platinum coins
Sun Journal - Sep 23, 1997
This year the US Mint begins selling the platinum bullion coins. The one-ounce and tenth-ounce coins will be
available first, then the half-ounce and quarter-ounce will be offered later. The obverse will show the Statue of
Liberty with a bald eagle on the reverse of each platinum coin. The face value of the four coins will be $100, $50,
$25 and $10 by decreasing weight. The $100 one-ounce coin is the largest denomination coin ever produced by the US
Mint.
Senate approves changes in coins
The Tuscaloosa News - Nov 11, 1997
The Senate approved legislation which changes the dollar coin to a golden-dollar and the reverse images on the
quarter dollar coins to designs commemorating the 50 states. The head of the House Banking monetary subcommittee
claimed, "This will be the largest change in coinage we've seen in a long time." The final designs will be chosen
by the Treasury Department but the state designs cannot be "frivolous," cannot show a portrait resulting in a
two-headed coin and cannot recognize a living person.
The 1997 Mint Set Year included news of a new golden dollar coin, the Jackie Robinson
commemorative coins and the first-ever platinum coins from the US Mint.
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