Earlier today, Jan. 15, 2013, the United States Mint began accepting orders for the second annual Birth Set. Its price is $19.95, which is the same as last year’s set.
Targeting proud parents or anyone excited about the arrival of a newborn baby, this unique collectible has five coins, all proof quality, dated 2013 and minted at the U.S. Mint facility in San Francisco, California.
Space is reserved in the keepsake’s uniquely decorated folder for a personalized welcome message and place for the baby’s statistics such as arrival date, time, birth weight and length. Plus there is room for a 3×4 inch baby picture and a lock of hair.
The five specific proof coins in the U.S. Mint 2013 Birth Set are:
- the 2013-S Kennedy half-dollar,
- the 2013-S White Mountain National Forest Quarter, which is the first scheduled America the Beautiful Quarter for release this year,
- the 2013-S Roosevelt dime,
- the 2013-S Jefferson nickel, and
- the 2013-S Lincoln cent
A proof quality coin means the United States Mint takes extra measures to make sure the coin’s designs have a sharp relief against a mirror-like background. To produced this effect, it reports:
"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 Birth Set is a popular product. Last year’s set launched in March and it now has sales of 39,873 units. The Mint plans to expand the product line due to its success. Later this year, the U.S. Mint plans to add a Happy Birthday Coin Set for $19.95 and a Congratulations Set for $64.95. Other world mints offer baby-related products and have expanded into products for birthdays, graduations, the tooth fairy, Valentine’s Day and major holidays.
Place orders for the 2013 Birth Set on the United States website at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog and by phone, toll-free, at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Shipping usually takes one or two weeks when items are in-stock.
