Coins - 2003 Proof Set

The US Mint continued the same package design for the fifth year with the 2003 proof set. The ten proof coins in the set equaled a face value of $2.91 and were sold for $19.95 per set.

The 2003 proof set included the fifth set of the five state quarters along with the cent, nickel, dime, half dollar and dollar coins. The quarter proof coins were in one protective lens and the regular proof coins were in a separate holder.

2003 Proof Set Package

Like the previous years, the 2003 proof set box measures roughly 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches by 11/16 inch. The colors remained similar with blue and white forming the primary design with the red portion of the 50 state quarters emblem being the only other color.

The front of the 2003 proof set shows the head of the Statue of Liberty on the left and the quarters emblem on the right above the proof set's title. The bottom and top edges each contain 25 white stars against a blue background. The proof set's title is "United States Mint Proof Set® 2003" in a dark blue font with the year much larger than the rest of the title. Also, the long side edges show "2003" in a white font on a blue background.

In the middle of the back of the 2003 proof set box, the nation's stars and stripes, washed in blue, provide the background for the white seal of the Department of Treasury's United States Mint.

2003 Proof Set Contents and Proof Coins

The 2003 proof set includes the outer box, the two protective lenses containing five proof coins each and a white card with blue printing folded in half with the 2003 Proof Set Certificate of Authenticity and Coin Specifications.

During the years of the state quarters, the US Mint offered the five quarter proof coins not only in the full proof set but also in their own separate quarters proof coins set.

In the middle of the card stock holding the five regular proof coins is the title, "United States Mint Proof Set®." Below the title is another US Mint Treasury seal in white print Held snugly in their circles, the frosted images of the proof coins contrast against the blue-toned flag background.

Another white US Mint seal is centered between the half dollar and dollar on the plain blue card stock of the reverse side of the regular proof coins.

The reverse side of the five quarters contrast against the blue-toned flag like that of the obverse side of the regular proof coins. The title, "United States Mint 50 State Quarters Proof Set™," is located just above another US Mint seal.

The state quarters in this 2003 proof set address the 21st through 25th states joining the Union. They were: Illinois - December 3, 1818, Alabama - December 14, 1819, Maine - March 15, 1820, Missouri - August 10, 1821 and Arkansas - June 15, 1836.

Click on the 2003 Proof Set Certificate of Authenticity and Coin Specifications to view the details about the individual coins in the annual proof set.

2003 Proof Set Year Population and Cost of Living

The world population in 2003 was 6,317,998,040. This represents 92.2% of the world's population in 2010.

$100 in 2003 equals $118.51 in 2010 dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Inflation Calculator.

New houses in 2003 cost an average of $246,300 which would be $291,890 in 2010 dollars.

The average income was $34,065 per year which equals $40,370 in 2010 dollars.

Gas was $1.591 per gallon which would be $1.885 in 2010 money.

The average new car was $21,169 equivalent to $25,087 in 2010.

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