US Proof coins are among the most beautiful coins produced by the US Mint and are extremely popular among both avid and new collectors. The stunning eye appeal of Proof coins comes from the sharp details of the foreground, contrasted against the shiny, mirror-like surfaces of the background. The popularity of the Silver Proof Sets was apparent from their start, with over 1 million sets sold in their first year. Now in their sixth year, sales remain strong with 605,473 sets. The Silver Proof Sets still contain five coins – featured by three 90% silver coins. The coins are struck at the San Francisco Mint. These 1997 US Mint Silver Proof Sets are available right now for purchase online from Silver.com.
Coin Highlights:
- Ships in a protective hard plastic case and an outer box!
- Includes five 1997 coins from the US Mint!
- Each coin has its face value in US dollars.
- Each coin has a unique obverse and reverse design.
- Proof visuals.
- Total of 605,473 proof sets were issued in 1997.
- Please note – some sets may be missing the outer envelope/sleeve/box.
In 1997, sales of Silver Proof Sets dipped slightly from their 1996 levels, falling by about 18,000 sets. Changes made to the US Mint’s commemorative coin program to limit the number of coins issued per year, resulted in just 5 commemorative coins released in 1997. Many of these had weak sales, so collectors were able to focus their interests on the various Proof and Silver Proof Set offerings of the Mint.
The regular Proof and Silver Proof Sets each contain 5 coins – Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, Washington Quarter, and Kennedy Half Dollar. All 5 coins in the regular Proof Set, as well as the Cent and Nickel coins of the Silver Proof set, are the copper-nickel-clad versions of these coins. What distinguishes the Silver Proof Set is that the Dime, Quarter, and Half Dollar in this set are struck in 90% silver. Purchasing a Silver Proof Set was about the only way for collectors to obtain the three 90% silver Proof coins. The original price of this set was driven up to $21.00 due to the additional silver content.
The unique black packaging of the Silver Proof Sets remains the same since their introduction in 1992. Within the black cardboard, each coin occupies its specific slot. The cardboard is inserted and sealed inside a plastic lens with the word Silver clearly printed on it. The lens is placed into a black outer box, with the words United States Mint Silver Proof Set – 1997 printed in silver.
The US Mint also offered the Silver Premier Set from 1992 to 1998. This set includes the same 5 coins as the Silver Proof Set, but in packaging that is more conducive to displaying the set. This fancier packaging resulted in a higher original price of $37.50.
Please contact our Silver.com Customer Service team with any questions you may have, as we will be happy to assist you. We can be reached via phone at 888-989-7223, via online live chat, or via our email.
