1976 3-Piece US Silver Proof Set

The 1976 3-Piece US Silver Proof Set is a collector grade product issued by the United States Mint. It appeared as part of the bicentennial celebration of the nation and included a total of three coins, each struck to proof quality at the US Mint facility in San Francisco.

Included in each set was an Eisenhower Dollar, a Kennedy Half Dollar and a Washington Quarter. These three strikes each featured the same obverse portrait as found on the strikes in previous years but their reverse designs were modified as part of the 200th anniversary celebration.

Packing for the 1976 3-Piece US Silver Proof Set was somewhat unique. The US Mint shipped in each coin in individual capsules along with a presentation box. After arrival,the purchaser could place the coins inside the box to complete the look.

Also issued as part of the celebration was a 1976 3-Piece US Silver Mint Set containing the three same coins, only struck to uncirculated quality instead of proof.

The three coins included as part of the 1976 3-Piece US Silver Proof Set were each struck from 40% silver. A brief description of each follows:

Washington Quarter – 0.0739 oz. total silver weight

Shown on the obverse of each Washington Quarter since their debut in 1932 is a portrait by John Flanagan of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Up to the issue of these bicentennial strikes, the reverse showcased the image of an eagle, but that was replaced for the celebration with a colonial drummer design by Jack L. Ahr.

Kennedy Half Dollar – 0.14792 oz. total silver weight

Gilroy Roberts designed the obverse portrait of President John F. Kennedy found on the half dollar coins since their inaugural release in 1964. The reverse typically shows a modified Presidential Seal but the bicentennial half dollar coins feature a reverse image of Independence Hall in Philadelphia by Seth G. Huntington.

Eisenhower Dollar – 0.3161 oz. total silver weight

The portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower first appeared on the dollar coin in 1971 and was designed by Frank Gasparro. Most years saw the reverse of the coin showing a rendition of the Apollo 11 Mission Insignia, but the bicentennial dollar coin instead depicts the Liberty Bell superimposed over the moon, as designed by Dennis R. Williams.

1976 3-Piece US Silver Proof Set Specifications