Coins - 1999 Mint
Set
As the first year for the US Mint's state quarters program, the 1999 mint set contained 18 coins. To hold the
additional coins, the set included two envelopes, one for the coins minted in Denver and one for the Philadelphia
minted coins. Within each envelope, two Mylar sleeves held the coins. One sleeve held the five state quarters while
the other held the penny, nickel, dime, half dollar and mint mark token.
The US Mint expanded on their color scheme for each mint with a red envelope for the Denver coins and a blue
envelope for the Philadelphia coins. A left facing portrait of George Washington highlights the right front of each
envelope with a blue-toned Liberty Bell on the Philadelphia envelope and red-toned mountains on the
Denver envelope. The front of each includes "1999 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set." In the
lower left and right corners, respectively, are the seal for the US Mint and the trademarked logo for the 50 State
Quarters program.
1999 Mint Set Package
The back of each envelope of the 1999 mint set includes another view Washington's portrait
with more of the quarter image showing. Also, each envelope shows portions of the flag with Denver
envelope including red-toned starts and the Philadelphia envelope having blue-toned stripes.
The contents of each envelope in the 1999 mint set remained consistent except for the colors. Two
Mylar sleeves held the coins, an insert provided information about the coins, and a card included details about the
50 state quarters program.
The Denver contents were red keeping with Denver's colors.
Similarly, the contents in the Philadelphia envelope were blue.
1999 Mint Set Uncirculated Coins
The two Mylar sleeves in the 1999 mint set for the Denver minted coins include the red-edge for the penny,
nickel, dime, half dollar and mint mark token. The new, black-edged Mylar sleeve contains the first five of the
Denver minted state quarters.
In the blue envelope for the Philadelphia minted coins, the consistent, blue-edged sleeve holds the
regular coins, and the new white-edged sleeve contains the five state quarters.
One of the five compartments in the red-edged sleeve holds the Denver mint mark
token with "Uncirculated" and "Denver" around its edge with a large "D" in the middle.
The blue-edged sleeve in the Philadelphia envelope holds a similar mint mark token with
"Uncirculated" and "Philadelphia" circling its edge and a large "P" in the middle.
The separately sealed spaces in each Mylar sleeve protect the uncirculated coins and the
mint mark tokens from each other and from fingerprints. Each space, larger than the coin it
holds, allows the coin to move freely while protected.
From the back, the reverse images of the uncirculated coins can be seen through the clear
Mylar protection.
The back of the Denver sleeves:
The back of the Philadelphia coins:
The Denver and Philadelphia mint mark tokens identify each mint on their obverse sides, but they
have the same reverse design of the US Mint's Treasury Department seal.
1999 Mint Set Insert and Certificate of Authenticity
Both of the envelopes in the 1999 mint set contain informational inserts. The designs are similar but with
different colors. The front of the inserts show a right-facing partial portrait of George Washington and portions
of the American flag. The text states, "1999 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set."
The red-toned insert belongs to the Denver minted coins.
Philadelphia's coins are represented by a blue-toned insert.
Except for the colors and the mention of Denver or Philadelphia, the inside the inserts in the 1999 mint
set are the same. The inserts describe the new 50 state quarters program and their coin specifications on the
inside.
Denver's insert includes a red font.
Philadelphia's coins are described using a blue font.
The back of the two inserts in the 1999 mint set shows the coin specifications of the cent, nickel,
dime and half dollar.
The back the Denver insert has red text.
Philadelphia's text is blue.
Instead of a reorder card in the 1999 mint set, the US Mint included a card in each envelope
describing the 50 state quarters program.
On one side, a table shows which state quarters will be issued each year and in what order. The
order also shows the dates the first thirteen states ratified the Constitution and the dates the remaining
states joined the union.
Again, the Denver card is red.
And, the Philadelphia card is blue.
On the opposite side of the card, the US Mint provided information about
the quarters and the new program.
First, Denver:
Second, Philadelphia:
Larger images of the 1999 mint set inserts show
the contents of the inserts and the coin specifications with more detail.
1999 Mint Set Coins and Metals
The coins of the 1999 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.
1999 Mint Set Year - News about Coins and the US Mint
(note: the below links to newspapers open in a new window)
US Rolls Out New Quarters
The Argus-Press - January 6, 1999
The US Mint is shipping out the first batches of the new quarters which will eventually feature a different image
on the tails side for each of the 50 states. But, it could be spring or summer before you find one in your pocket.
The first state quarter recognizes Delaware.
Pennsylvania Quarters Debut
Reading Eagle - March 9, 1999
The US Mint in Philadelphia begins rolling out a series of commemorative coins at the rate of 8 million per day.
Pennsylvania, the second state to approve the Constitution, is the second state commemorated by the new state
quarters series. The US Mint began distributing them on Monday.
The Quarters Work
Observer-Reporter - May 6, 1999
After first reporting the new quarters failed in their parking meters, the St. Louis officials realized the
batteries in the parking meters needed to be replaced.
Anthony Dollar Back For Encore After 18 Years
The Deseret News - May 21, 1999
After being stuck with an excess of Susan B. Anthony dollars for years, the current shortage of dollar coins means
the Susan B. Anthony will make a brief comeback. The US Mint decided to produce a final run of the Susan B. Anthony
dollar coins prior to the release of the new golden dollar coins next year.
Merchants, Banks Feeling the Pinch of Penny Shortage
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - July 12, 1999
"Pay with Pennies" can be found next to cash registers. The Pittsburgh region experiences a shortage of the
copper-colored coins. But, the Federal Reserve reports the shortage is nationwide.
Peach State Quarters Coming to Georgia
Rome News-Tribune - July 20, 1999
Later this week, the new Georgia quarter becomes available. Unveiled at the state capitol, the governor showed the
new coins to the gathered crowd and announced they would be at local banks later in the week. Children received the
coins displayed at the gathering.
Behind the Nation's Penny Shortage
Denver Business Journal - August 1, 1999
Penny shortages in the east have businesses begging customers for change. Banking officials report this is not a
new trend, but they are unclear on the reasons behind the shortage. US Mint speculates the pennies are in people's
sock drawers, under mattresses, in coffee cans and piggy banks.
Coins Provide Celebration of States
The Vindicator - October 16, 1999
Beginning with the Delaware quarter, the US Mint is issuing a series of 50 commemorative quarters. The list below
shows the order in which the states will be recognized and the year they approved the Constitution or joined the
Union.
The 1999 Mint Set Year included news of the new state quarters with each new quarter receiving its own
press.
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