Silver Proof Sets continue to be an easy and affordable way to start or add to your coin collection. The beautiful mirror-like surfaces in the background and the sharp details in the foreground of Proof coins are what make them appealing to all collectors. The Silver Proof Set was popular right from its start, selling over 1 million sets its first year. In its sixth year (1997), there were still 605,473 sets sold. These Silver Proof Sets contain five coins, three of which are struck in 90% silver. These extremely popular sets were struck at the San Francisco Mint. Currently, JM Bullion has the 1997 US Mint Silver Proof Sets available for purchase.
Coin Highlights:
- Arrives in a protective hard plastic case and an outer box!
- Contains five 1997 coins from the US Mint!
- Proof visuals.
- Each coin has a face value in US dollars.
- Each denominations obverse and reverse designs are unique.
- Total of 605,473 proof sets were issued in 1997.
- Please note some sets may be missing the outer envelope/sleeve/box.
The Silver Proof Sets contain the Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, Washington Quarter, and Kennedy Half Dollar. The Cent and Nickel coins in the Silver sets are the same copper-nickel clad versions of these coins that appear in the regular Proof Sets. However, what distinguishes the Silver sets from the regular sets are that the Dime, Quarter, and Half Dollar coins in the Silver sets are struck in 90% silver. Purchasing a Silver Proof Set was the only way for collectors to obtain the 90% silver proof coins. The additional silver content of the set drove its original price to $21.00.
Again in 1997, in addition to the Silver Proof Set, the US Mint also offered the Silver Premier Set. This set contains the same 5 coins as the Silver Proof Set, however, the Silver Premier Set comes in more ornate, display-worthy packaging, pushing its original price to $37.50.
Silver Proof Set sales in 1997 dropped a small amount from 1996 sales, falling from 623,655 to 605,473 sets. The US Mint did release 5 various commemorative coins in 1997, however, many of these coins had weak sales. Collectors interests seemed to have returned to the various regular Proof and Silver Proof Set offerings of the Mint.
The differentiating black packaging introduced with the 1992 Silver Proof Set continued with the 1997 Silver Proof Set. Each coin is situated in its own spot on the black cardboard. With the word Silver clearly printed on the lens, the coin-filled black cardboard is placed inside the plastic lens. The lens is placed into a black outer box, marked with the words United States Mint Silver Proof Set – 1997.
If you should have any questions, please contact the JM Bullion Customer Service team, as we are happy to assist you. We can be reached via phone at 800-276-6508, via online live chat, or via email.