1976 Bicentennial Silver Proof Set (BUY)
Face Value: $1.75
Original Issue Price: $15.00
Mintage: 3,998,621
This is the specially issued 1976 Silver Proof Set. This set contained the 1976-S Eisenhower Dollar, Kennedy Half Dollar, and Washington Quarter. Each coin was minted with a special composition which included 40% silver. Because of the silver content, the sets were offered at $15.00, which was more than double the price of the six coin clad composition 1976 Proof Set.
The sets sold a very high final mintage, which neared 4 million. The popularity was probably inspired by people wanted to obtain a keepsake from the important Bicentennial Year. It should also be noted that the 1976 Proof Sets remained on sale for several years after the Bicentennial as the US Mint continued to sell excess inventory.
These coins are relatively easy to find in cameo and deep cameo finishes. They can be acquired graded in this party holders in high grades with only a little effort.
The packaging for the 1976 Silver Proof Set was somewhat unique. The coins came shipped in a Styrofoam holder. The coins were each in individual capsules and the box was separate. The owner of the set could presumably assemble the set by placing the capsules into the proper places in the box.
