Coins - Proof Sets 1960-1969

Proof Sets in the 1960s changed from the flat, pliofilm style inside an envelope to the protective plastic lens style inside a box.

The Proof Sets of the 60s contained five coins - a penny, nickel, dime, quarter and half dollar. However, the US Mint did not make Proof Sets in 1965, 1966 and 1967. Instead, Special Mint Sets were made those three years.

The early sets of the 1960s contained silver in the dime, quarter and half dollar proof coins. Due to an increase in silver prices, the Coinage Act of 1965 introduced the clad coins. Even so, the half dollars in 1968 and 1969 still included silver at 40% instead of the 90% in the earlier coins.

For the 60s, four of the proof coins were consistent through all the Proof Sets. The penny was the Lincoln obverse and Lincoln Memorial reverse. The nickel was the Jefferson obverse with the Monticello reverse. The dime's obverse was of Roosevelt with the torch, olive branch and oak branch on the reverse. The quarter had the Washington obverse with the heraldic eagle reverse.

One coin changed in the 1960s. The half dollar started the 60s as the Franklin obverse with the Liberty Bell reverse. In 1964, the half dollar changed to recognize the recently assassinated President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The new obverse contained the bust of President Kennedy with the reverse including the heraldic eagle from the presidential seal.

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for any of the regular issue Proof sets

Click on the individual year links below for more details, including pictures, about the Proof Sets and their contents.

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for any of the regular issue Proof sets