US Mint Sets

Annual collections of uncirculated coins produced by the U.S. Mint

United States Mint Sets are annual collections of uncirculated coins produced by the U.S. Mint for collectors. These sets showcase coins struck for circulation, often with enhanced quality and presentation compared to regular business strikes.

Official United States Mint Sets sold by the Treasury from 1947 to 1958 contained two specimens of each regular issue denomination and mint mark, called “double-mint” sets. Since 1959 official U.S. mint sets have been sealed in a protective plastic envelope. In 1965, 1966 and 1967 higher quality mint sets were made as a substitute for proof sets (proof sets were not produced during these years). The 1966 and 1967 sets were packaged in hard plastic holders. These mint sets were called SMS, or, Special Mint Sets.

In 1968, the Mint resumed traditional Mint Set production with cellophane packaging and restored mint marks.  Since then, Mint Sets have been issued annually (except for 1982 and 1983, when official sets were skipped).

From 2005-2010 the sets were introduced as a “Satin Finish” or “Specimen Set” for the first time in history! A “Satin Finish” coin is one that the dies are sand blasted with a fine mixture of sand and glass beads, and this adds a luster to their shine. The 2005 set includes the following coins: Cent, Buffalo and Ocean in View Nickels, Dime, Half Dollar, Sacagawea Dollar, and then the 7th year of issue of quarters from the 50 State Quarter Program. Those quarters are as follows: California, Minnesota, Oregon, Kansas and west Virginia. Each coin was struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.

In recent years, sets include coins from programs such as America the Beautiful Quarters, Presidential Dollars, Native American Dollars and American Women Quarters collections.