The 1959-1964 Mint Sets marked the debut of both new packaging and a change in the number of coins included as part of the sets.
Previous to 1959, the associated Mint Sets included two uncirculated quality examples of each circulating coin struck by the U.S. Mint from each facility that was responsible for producing them. For example, the previous 1958 Mint Set included a total of four Lincoln Cents. Two of them were struck at the U.S. Mint’s facility in Philadelphia and two were struck at the U.S. Mint’s facility in Denver. Four examples of the nickel, dime, quarter and half dollar were also included.
However, beginning with 1959, the U.S. Mint included only one uncirculated quality example of each coin. This means these sets only had one Lincoln Cent struck at the Philadelphia facility and one struck at the Denver facility. The same held true for the remaining denominations of the set.
Historical 1959-1964 Mint Silver Set Melt Values
Packaging also changed beginning in 1959. Previous years saw the coins of the Mint Sets placed in cardboard holders. But, beginning in 1959, the coins were individually sealed in pockets of protective plastic envelopes.
Of note, the 1959-1963 Mint Sets contained Franklin Half Dollars. The 1964 Set saw the debut of the Kennedy Half Dollar.
Coins Included in the 1959-1964 Mint Sets
- Two Lincoln Cents (one Philadelphia, one Denver)
- Two Jefferson Nickels (one Philadelphia, one Denver)
- Two Roosevelt Dimes (one Philadelphia, one Denver) *struck from 90% silver
- Two Washington Quarters (one Philadelphia, one Denver) *struck from 90% silver
- Two Franklin Half Dollars (1950-1963) (one Philadelphia, one Denver) *struck from 90% silver
Two Kennedy Half Dollars (1964) (one Philadelphia, one Denver) *struck from 90% silver
The six silver coins included in the set (two dimes, two quarters and two half dollars) have a total silver weight of 1.22974 ounces.