1999 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Proof Set

This item is a 1999 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Proof Set, featuring the first five coins released in the historic 10-year commemorative program. The set contains 5 quarters representing Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. These coins are struck in a cupro-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) bonded to a pure copper core. As proof specimens, they exhibit highly polished, mirror-like backgrounds with sharp, frosted relief details, characterized by the 'S' mint mark signifying production at the San Francisco Mint. The obverse of each coin features the classic portrait of George Washington, originally designed by John Flanagan. The set is housed in its original United States Mint protective acrylic lens, which is set against a blue cardstock insert bearing the '50 State Quarters' logo. The condition of the coins appears to be Gem Proof, showing no visible signs of wear, toning, or handling, which is expected for items preserved in their original mint packaging. The plastic casing appears structurally sound but shows minor surface scuffing and scratches consistent with retail handling or storage, which does not affect the encapsulated coins themselves. This 1999 set is particularly notable among collectors as it marks the inaugural year of the program and remains one of the more sought-after annual sets due to lower relative mintage compared to later years.