1959-1964 US Mint Set

1959-1964 US Mint Sets started a new era for the collectible releases from the Mint. This included both a change in the number of coins issued as part of the set as well as a change in the packaging of the product.

Starting with these releases, the US Mint included only one example of each coin from each facility that struck the circulating coins that year. Previous Mint Sets included a total of two per facility per denomination.

Accordingly, the 1959-1964 Sets only contained a total of ten coins. For comparison, the 1957-1958 Mint Sets included a total of twenty strikes.

Also, the 1959 sets (and beyond) utilized new packaging. Before 1959, Mint Sets were issued with the coins placed in cardboard holders with each holder containing the strikes of a specific minting facility. The new sets now featured the coins placed in individually sealed pockets of a plastic sheet. One sheet contained the strikes representing the minting facility in Philadelphia and one set contained the strikes representing the minting facility in Denver.

Of interest, all of the dimes, quarters and half dollars of the set were struck from 90% silver as all circulating dimes, quarters and half dollars of this era were composed of the precious metal. In total, the set contained 1.22974 ounces of silver.

The 1959-1964 US Mint Sets contained a total of ten coins – five from the facility in Philadelphia and five from the facility in Denver. Brief descriptions about each included strike is offered below:

(2) Lincoln Cents

Lincoln Cents made their debut in 1909 and have always contained an obverse portrait of Abraham Lincoln by Victor David Brenner. The 1959 cent coin, however, marked the debut of a new reverse design which depicted an image of the Lincoln Memorial by Frank Gasparro.

(2) Jefferson Nickels

Jefferson Nickels have been issued by the US Mint since 1938. The nickels included as part of these sets featured an obverse portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Felix Schlag. The same individual designed the reverse image of Monticello, the home of Jefferson.

(2) Roosevelt Dimes – 0.07234 oz. total silver weight per dime

Roosevelt Dimes made their debut in 1946 and feature an obverse portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt by John R. Sinnock. He also designed the reverse which contains an olive branch, an oak branch and a torch.

(2) Washington Quarters – 0.18084 oz. total silver weight per quarter

Washington Quarters showcase a portrait of George Washington on the obverse of each coin. The reverse contains the image of an eagle with its wings outstretched. Both are the work of artist John Flanagan.

(2) Franklin Half Dollars – 0.36169 oz. total silver weight per half dollar

Franklin Half Dollars were first issued by the Mint in 1948 and contain a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on their obverse as designed by John R. Sinnock. The reverse also contains a Sinnock design with an image of the Liberty Bell.

1959-1964 Mint Set Specifications