Collectors continue to choose Proof Sets as an easy and affordable way to start or add to their collections. The Silver Proof Set was a popular choice right from the start, selling over 1 million sets in its first year. In its fifth year, there were still 623,655 sets sold in 1996. The Silver Proof Sets include five coins, three of which are struck in 90% silver. The sharp details of the foreground and the shiny, mirror-like surfaces in the background give the Proof coins stunning eye appeal. These extremely popular sets were struck at the San Francisco Mint. JM Bullion has the 1996 US Mint Silver Proof Sets available for purchase right now.
Coin Highlights:
- Received in protective hard plastic case and an outer box!
- Includes five 1996 coins from the US Mint!
- Face value in US dollars on each coin.
- Obverse and reverse designs are unique for each denomination.
- Proof visuals.
- Total of 623,655 proof sets were issued in 1996.
- Please note – some sets may be missing the outer envelope/sleeve/box.
What makes the Silver Proof Set different than the regular Proof Set? Both sets include the same 5 coins – Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, Washington Quarter, and Kennedy Half Dollar. The Cent and Nickel in both sets are the copper-nickel-clad versions of these coins. However, the Dime, Quarter, and Half Dollar in the Silver Proof Set are struck in 90% silver. Purchasing one of the Silver Proof Sets was the only way for collectors to obtain the 90% silver proof coins. And this additional silver content drove the set’s original price to $21.00.
In addition to the Silver Proof Set, the US Mint also offered the Silver Premier Set. Containing the same 5 coins as the Silver Proof Set, the Silver Premier Set came in more luxurious, display-worthy packaging, which pushed its original price to $37.50.
First introduced with the 1992 Silver Proof Set, the distinctive black look packaging continues with the 1996 Silver Proof Set. Each coin is positioned in its own space on the black cardboard. The black cardboard is placed inside the plastic lens that has the word Silver clearly printed on it, thus distinguishing it from the regular Proof Set. The lens is then placed into a black outer box, which has a silver edge.
Sales of the 1996 Silver Proof Sets recovered decently from the record-setting low of the 1995 Silver Proof Sets. This recovery occurred despite another year of multiple commemorative coins offered by the US Mint. The 1996 commemorative coins issued included 8 honoring various Olympic sports, 1 community service Silver dollar, and 2 Smithsonian coins. Sales of these commemorative coins significantly waned, returning collectors’ interests back to the various regular and Silver Proof Sets.
Please contact the JM Bullion Customer Service team if you have questions, as we will gladly assist you. We can be reached via phone at 800-276-6508, via online live chat, or via email.