2007-S 1c-$1 Clad Proof Set, 14 Coins PR

Original Packaging: Three similar holders were required to house the fourteen coins in 2007’s complete Proof set. Each holder consisted of a two-piece, transparent plastic casing with frosted borders. The first held a fiberboard insert featuring a background graphic of the American flag and holed for the cent, nickel, dime, half dollar, and Sacagawea dollar. The insert was labeled UNITED STATES MINT PROOF SET 2007™ and displayed the U.S. Mint seal. The second contained the five statehood quarters for 2007. It was graphically similar, but was labeled UNITED STATES MINT 50 STATE QUARTERS PROOF SET™. The third plastic holder housed the four Presidential dollars for 2007. These were set against a background of the American flag and the United States Constitution, and the insert was labeled UNITED STATES MINT PRESIDENTIAL $1 COIN PROOF SET™. A plastic tab was above this inscription, and it was labeled USA and flanked by two stars. The three holders were stacked and slipped into a flimsy, white cardboard box. This box was printed in gold and displayed the U.S. Mint seal with a flag streaming from it and the words UNITED STATES MINT . Below this in script were the words 2007 UNITED STATES MINT PROOF SET™. Two rows of stars formed borders above and below these various elements.

The five state quarters were offered separately, as well as part of the complete set. The packaging for these was a repeat of that used in previous years, and a complete description is included under 2005-S. The four Presidential dollars, a series that debuted this year, were likewise offered separately as well as within the complete Proof set. The same holder was used for each option, but the outer box for the four-coin set differed graphically. It featured a very colorful view of President George Washington with his cabinet. Superimposed in script were the words 2007 UNITED STATES MINT PRESIDENTIAL $1 COIN PROOF SET. Below that was the U.S. Mint seal with streaming flag and the words UNITED STATES MINT .

The Presidential dollars have a common reverse depicting the Statue of Liberty and are thus linked thematically to the former box art which, ironically, was dropped for this year’s Proof set in favor of the simpler design just described. Four U.S. presidents will be honored each year until all have been so recognized, excluding those still living. The exact length of the program is thus open-ended, though it is anticipated that it will last through 2016.

The year 2007 was the Mint’s third year in a row to offer the UNITED STATES MINT American Legacy Collection. Similar packaging was used, with attractive graphics and text on the side panels highlighting that year’s silver dollar offerings—the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 and the 50th anniversary of desegregation at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Commentary: The Proof coins for 2007 were of excellent quality, though satisfaction with the state quarters seems to vary more with their designs than with their manufacturing quality. The four Presidential dollars were very well made and are uniformly high quality.

Source: Whitman