Coins - Proof Sets 1970-1979

Proof Sets of the 70s went from the single lens in the blue box to the single lens with an easel stand in a black box. The three standard Proof Sets in the blue box included the five standard coins - the Lincoln penny, the Jefferson nickel, the Roosevelt dime, the Washington quarter and the Kennedy half dollar.

The introduction of the black package for the Proof Sets in 1973 also introduced a new coin, the Eisenhower dollar, to bring the number of coins in the set to six. At the end of the 70s, the Proof Sets included a new and different dollar coin. The Susan B. Anthony dollar replaced the Eisenhower dollar in 1979.

The Coinage Act of 1965 replaced the 90% silver coins with clad metals except for the Kennedy half dollar. The half dollar changed from 90% silver to 40% silver in the Proof Sets through 1970. In 1971, the half dollar's metal composition changed to be the same clad metal as the quarter and dime.

In addition to the standard Proof Sets, the US Mint made special three piece proof sets for the 1976 bicentennial year. The set included three coins - quarter, half dollar and dollar - with the special bicential reverse images. To make them more special for collectors, the three coins also contained 40% silver instead of the clad varieties that were in the standard proof sets and in circulation. 

Also in recognition of the bicentennial year, the Proof Sets of 1975 and 1976 included the special reverse designs for the quarter, half dollar and dollar coins. The quarter's reverse showed a colonial drummer, the half dollar's reverse highlighted Philadelphia's Independence Hall and the dollar's reverse recognized the nation's growth by showing the Liberty Bell and the moon.

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