US Mint 2011 Proof Set Released

The United States Mint today, January 11, 2011, at noon ET released the 2011 Proof Set for a price of $31.95.

It is the first time in more than a decade that a major annual product has been available so early in the year. The January release was announced in September, and is a part of the US Mint plan to launch core products earlier in the year.

The annual clad proof set is the most popular US Mint numismatic product and it features more than one coin. This year’s set, as in last year’s issue, features a total of 14 proof coins.

2011 Proof Set Coins

All fourteen coins within the 2011 Proof Set are special collector versions of the same coins that will enter circulation this year. However, unlike those which are all minted in Philadelphia and Denver, the proofs are struck at the US Mint in San Francisco and carry the designating "S" mintmark. They include:

• (4) 2011-S Presidential Dollars (honoring Presidents Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes and James Garfield)
• (1) 2011-S Native American $1 Coin (this year’s reverse is emblematic of the peace alliance created by the 1621 Wampanoag Treaty)
• (1) 2011-S Kennedy half-dollar
• (1) 2011-S Roosevelt dime
• (1) 2011-S Jefferson nickel
• (1) 2011-S Lincoln cent
• (5) 2011-S America the Beautiful Quarters (honoring Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, Glacier National Park in Montana, Olympic National Park in Washington, Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi and Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma)

The US Mint describes the proof set coins and care taken as follows:

"Extraordinarily brilliant, with sharp relief and a mirror-like background. Their frosted, sculpted foregrounds give them a special cameo effect. Proof blanks are specially treated, polished and cleaned to ensure high-quality strikes. The blanks are then fed into presses fitted with specially polished dies and struck at least twice to ensure sharp relief. The coins are then packaged in protective lenses to showcase and maintain their exceptional finish."

The fourteen coins are sealed in three protective lenses and packaged with a US Mint Certificate of Authenticity.

Proof Set Product Popularity

As mentioned, the annual proof sets are the most popular US Mint numismatic product. Their opening days are always the strongest in sales, as is typical with most released products. Debuting sales and mintage levels for immediate previous issues are provided in the following table:

US Mint Proof Set Debuting Sales

*The US Mint has not stopped selling the 2010 Proof Set, which is also available for a price of $31.95. Indications are that it will be available until later in the year, unless they achieve a sell out. The Mint has not indicated how many were produced.

**2009 figures are unaudited.

Order from US Mint

The US Mint 2011 Proof Set may be purchased directly through its online store at:

Annual Coin Sets Product Page

Orders may also be placed using the Mint’s toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).

Companion Silver Proof Sets and Mint Sets

The US Mint will release its other two most popular sets early this year as well. The 2011 Silver Proof Set will be released January 25 for a price of $67.95. It includes the same coins described above, but the quarters, dime and half-dollar are struck in 90 percent silver.

The uncirculated 2011 Mint Set will get released on February 8 for a price of $31.95. It has twenty-eight coins which are pairs of the ones above but they are produced at the US Mint facilities in Denver and Philadelphia with each having a brilliant finish.