Have you ever heard of the 1999 US Mint Proof set? If you haven’t before now, then you are in for a treat!
For coin collectors, it is a particularly valuable item. This set was first released in 1999 and contains beautiful quarters and several other denominations with both obverse and reverse designs that are unique to the year. The 1999 US Mint Proof set value depends on its condition, grade, variety, errors, but no matter how you look at them, they are quite the interesting collector’s item!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the 1999 US Mint Proof set value, its history and features, as well as look at some of the varieties available, which can greatly affect its value.
Ready to learn more about this one of a kind Proof set? Let’s dive right in!
1999 US Mint Proof Set Details
- Category: Penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar
- Mints: San Francisco
- Total mintage: 4,517,924
- Obverse designers: Victor D. Brenner, Felix Schlag, John R. Sinnock, Gilroy Roberts, John Flanagan, and William Cousins
- Reverse designers: Frank Gasparro, Felix Schlag, John R. Sinnock, William Cousins, John Mercanti, Alfred Maletsky, and T. James Ferrell
- Edge: Reeded and plain
You may be wondering what a Proof set even is. As the name suggests, a Proof set is a group of coins that is made up of only Proof coins.
Proof coins are specially minted coins that are made with more attention to detail and high quality than regular coins. They usually have a different finish, which makes them shiny and mirror-like, causing them to be more attractive than regular coins.
The 1999 US Mint Proof set contains nine coins in total. This includes four coins from different denominations (a half dollar coin, a dime, a nickel, and a penny) as well as the first five quarters in the 50 State Quarters program.
The obverse (front) of each coin in the 1999 US Mint Proof set is designed with the standard image for that coin, such as President Lincoln for the penny, President Kennedy for the half dollar, and so on. However, the reverse of the quarters all commemorates special occasions, historic events, or well-known landmarks that connect to a particular state in the Union.
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Value Chart
1999 US Mint Proof Set Value Chart |
|||||
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | Proof |
| 1999 S US Mint Proof Set – 9 Piece | – | – | – | – | $13 |
| 1999 S US Mint Proof Set – Silver 9 Piece | – | – | – | – | $115 |
| 1999 S US Mint Proof Set – 5 Quarters | – | – | – | – | $5.84 |
1999 US Mint Proof Set Value and Varieties
The 1999 US Mint Proof set was minted in San Francisco, giving each coin in the collection an “S” mint mark. However, there were a few varieties made: the standard 9 piece 1999 US Mint Proof set, the 9 piece 1999 US Mint Silver Proof set, and the 5 piece quarter set. Let’s look at each one more closely.
1999 “S” US Mint Proof Set – 9 Piece Set
The 1999 US Mint Proof 9 piece set contained all nine coins we mentioned earlier: all five quarters, the penny, the nickel, the dime, and the half dollar from 1999. The five quarters included were commemorating the states Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
There were several of these sets made, 2,543,401 in all. The value of this set could essentially change depending on its condition, but since they are Proof sets, we will list the Proof value at a mint state 65 (70 being the highest grade a coin could receive). In this condition, the 1999 US Mint Proof set (9 piece set) is worth about $13 today.
1999 “S” US Mint Proof Set – Silver 9 Piece Set
The 1999 US Mint Silver Proof set is the same as the 9 Piece set above, but with one major difference: all of the coins feature a 90% silver content. This is what really kicks up its value, making it much more desirable and highly sought after by collectors. This set was also released in 1999 and had a mintage of only 804,565 sets.
In mint state 65 (MS65) condition, the 1999 US Mint Silver Proof Set is worth about $115 today, depending on which edition you have. That’s almost nine times higher than the regular 9 piece set!
1999 “S” US Mint Proof Set – 5 Piece Quarter Set
The 1999 US Mint Quarter 5 piece set contains only the quarters from 1999 commemorating the five states we mentioned above. These particular sets have a mintage of 1,169,958.
The Delaware reverse contains a picture of Caesar Rodney riding a horse. The Pennsylvania reverse features the famous Commonwealth statue. And the New Jersey reverse shows President Washington crossing the Delaware river.
On the fourth coin reverse, there is a Georgia peach and an oak, their state tree. And lastly, on the reverse of the Connecticut coin, there is a picture of the Charter Oak.
In mint state 65 (MS65) condition, the 1999 US Mint Proof Set Quarter 5 piece set is worth about $5.84 today. This is considerably less than both the 9 piece regular set and silver set, but still a good amount for such a small collection.
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1999 US Mint Proof Set History
The 1999 US Mint Proof set was first released in 1999 and contains coins from different denominations with reverse designs on the quarters that are unique to the year. The 1999 US Mint Proof sets were offered for sale through the U.S. Mint’s website and other authorized distributors. As we mentioned earlier, the US Mint also introduced a special 1999 US Mint Silver Proof set, which was highly sought after by coin collectors due to its rarity and value.
The 1999 US Mint Proof set is packaged in two clear, hard plastic cases, designed to protect the coins from outside elements like dust and dirt. It contains the four non-quarter coins in one package and the five quarters in the other.
These cases have a snap closure and sit on a special blue insert if the Proof set is a standard one, and they sit on a red insert if the set is a silver version. Each comes with an information card explaining all nine coins in the 1999 US Mint Proof set, including their denominations and reverse designs, and the silver edition also comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Director of the U.S. Mint at the time, Philip N. Diehl, which serves to authenticate its contents and provide further assurance of its value.
For collectors who have an eye for detail, there are some distinct features that help to identify 1999 US Mint Proof sets from other coins. Some of these include the “S” mint mark on each coin denoting San Francisco as its place of origin, clean surfaces on both sides of each coin, razor sharp edges and textured motifs throughout each piece, and mirrored fields and details when viewed head-on under direct light sources.
1999 US Mint Proof Set Grading
As we’ve mentioned, the 1999 US Mint Proof set value is determined by its condition, grade, variety, and errors. Coins in the 1999 US Mint Proof set are graded on a scale from 1-70 with 70 representing a perfect uncirculated coin. If you happen to have one of these Proof sets, you might want to consider bringing it to a professional coin grader to get it properly evaluated.
Coins that are in “Good” condition are worn and have visible signs of wear and tear, while coins in “Fine” condition have some luster but may still show some slight signs of wear. 1999 US Mint Proof sets that are graded as “Extremely Fine” will have all the details present and be free from any major defects or wear. 1999 US Mint Silver proof sets that are “Uncirculated” can be worth significantly more than their standard counterparts due to the fact that they weren’t ever out in the circulation.
Of course, these are Proof coins, and so they were not originally meant to be circulated. They are simply meant to be cherished by numismatists and passed along as a collector’s item.
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Lists of 1999 US Mint Proof Set Error Coins
There are only a few 1999 US Mint Proof coins that can contain errors. Reasonably, there aren’t any Proof sets in which every coin in the set has an error. Oftentimes, you will only find one of the coins containing an error.
1999 US Mint Proof Penny with Close “AM” Error
This 1999 US Mint Proof penny error is unique in that the letters “AM” in the word “AMERICA” are almost touching each other. Standard coins have what is called a “Wide AM,” so when there is a “Close AM,” the error can be worth quite a lot of money.
A 1999 US Mint Proof penny with a very high grade and with this error could be worth around $250 all by itself, not even including the rest of the set.
1999 US Mint Silver Proof Quarter with Reverse Strike Through Error
Found on the Connecticut quarter, but could also be found on any other coin, this 1999 US Mint Silver Proof quarter error is an interesting error to find and can also command a high price. A strike through error is when a foreign object passes through the reverse die just before the machine strikes a coin and leaves an indentation or raised area on the coin’s surface – leaving a mistake in its design.
These 1999 US Mint Silver Proof sets with this specific error command a high value due to their rarity. A 1999 US Mint Silver proof quarter with this error in near perfect condition will fetch around $55 on its own!
Thus, if you happen to come across a 1999 US Mint Proof set containing coins with either of these errors, or any other error for that matter, then consider yourself lucky as they are worth quite the sum!
1999 US Mint Proof Set Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know more about 1999 US Mint Proof sets, here are a few frequently asked questions about them:
How Do I Get my 1999 US Mint Proof Set Graded?
Consider bringing your 1999 US Mint Proof set to a professional coin grader for an accurate evaluation of its condition and value. A third-party coin grading service such as PCGS or NGC can provide an accurate assessment of your 1999 US Mint Proof set.
Where Can I Find More Information about 1999 US Mint Proof Sets?
The U.S. Mint’s website is a great place to start for more information about 1999 US Mint Proof sets, including their history, design, mintage figures, and other facts about the coins. Additionally, there are many online resources available with detailed information on 1999 US Mint Proofs and error coins.
Should I Clean my 1999 US Mint Proof Set?
It is advised to not clean your 1999 US Mint Proof set as it can cause damage and reduce the value of your coins. If you want to clean them, consider consulting a professional numismatist first. A professional numismatist can provide you with reliable advice on how to properly clean and preserve your 1999 US Mint Proof set without damaging the coins.
Conclusion
All in all, 1999 US Mint Proof sets are an incredibly fun find, so if you have one be sure to cherish it. These sets have gained popularity over the years due to their special place in American history, so they are worth snagging if you get the chance. Remember that these sets come in standard and silver varieties, as well as an all quarter variety, and can be worth anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds.
1999 US Mint Proof sets may contain unique and interesting coin errors just like any coin throughout history, which can be worth substantially more than the standard 1999 US Mint Proof set. So, when you are inspecting 1999 US Mint proof sets, keep an eye out for any rare varieties or errors that may increase its value. Additionally, consider bringing your 1999 US Mint Proof set to a professional coin grader in order to get it properly assessed – just to be on the safe side!
No doubt about it – the 1999 US Mint Proof set is an excellent addition to any collection! Do you have one of these beautiful sets? Let us know about it in the comments below.