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Washington – The United States Mint today announced that the 1999 50 State Quartersâ Greetings from America Portfolios and State Card Sets will be available beginning May 21, 2003.

The 50 State Quarters Greetings from America Portfolio – available for $29.99 each – consists of five circulating commemorative quarter-dollar coins and five corresponding state stamps in a portfolio, with a matching slipcase that includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed by United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore and United States Postmaster General Jack Potter. The 1999 Portfolio includes the coins honoring Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut.

Baseball card-sized 1999 50 State Quarters Greetings from America State Card Sets are also available. The State Cards consist of one circulating quarter-dollar coin released in 1999 and the corresponding state stamp. They can be purchased in a set that includes all five from each year of the 50 State Quarters Program for $27.99.

The 2002 Portfolios and State Card Sets went on sale on January 13, 2003, on the United States Mint website — www.usmint.gov — at 1-800-USA-MINT, and on the United States Postal Service website at www.usps.com/shop, or 1-800-STAMP-24. The 2000, 2001 and 2003 products will all be released later this year. The products for the remainder of the program – 2004 through 2008 – will be released at the end of each year.

The 50 State Quarters Greetings from America Portfolios and State Card Sets also are available through the United States Mint’s Subscription Program, which ensures coin collectors will never miss a United States Mint product offering for selected products.

For more information about the United States Mint Subscription Program or the 50 State Quarters Greetings from America Series, please visit the United States Mint’s website at www.usmint.gov, or call 1-800-USA MINT.

First Time Opportunity Helps Collectors Complete Most Popular Set

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today announced that proof sets dated 1999, 2000 and 2001 will be available as a three-set offer beginning May 29, 2002. These sets are the unsold remaining inventory from the first three years of the 50 State Quarters® Program. This will allow customers who may have missed the first three years of United States Mint Proof Sets containing the state quarters the opportunity to obtain a complete set of the entire 10-year series.

The United States Mint will offer 150,000 combined proof sets (1999, 2000, 2001 as a three-set package) for $94.95 each, with no order limits. This new product will also be offered as part of the Mint’s bulk program at $79.95 for orders over one hundred sets.

Each of the three 10-coin United States Mint Proof Sets include proof versions of that year’s Lincoln cent, Jefferson nickel, Roosevelt dime, Kennedy half dollar, and the Golden Dollar - which was first offered in year 2000 - in one sealed presentation case. A separate presentation case contains proof versions of the quarters from each state honored that year.

1999 – Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut

2000 – Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia

2001 – New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Kentucky

“These sets continue to be the most popular numismatic products in history,” said United States Mint Director, Henrietta Holsman Fore. “We are pleased to offer collectors who may have missed out on previous year’s sets this opportunity to collect the entire ten-year series.”

The combined proof sets can be purchased two ways. First, they can be purchased online using the United States Mint’s secure website at http://www.usmint.gov. Second, you may call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders. Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Please allow approximately 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Includes Historic Narrative by President George W. Bush
Limited Edition Set Features Rare Archival Records

Washington, D.C., June 5, 2001 – The United States Mint announced today it will begin selling its limited-edition of Formation of the Union Set beginning June 13 and online at www.usmint.gov on June 18 at 12:00 Noon (Eastern Time). Only 50,000 of The Formation of the Union Sets will be produced.

This is the third product produced under the “Coin & Chronicles” partnership between the United States Mint and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Priced at $49.95, each set will contain the first thirteen quarters from the 50 State Quarters™ Program from both the Philadelphia and Denver mint facilities—26 in all—including all the difficult-to-find early quarters, as well as the latest issues.

As an exciting bonus, the set will include a special message from President George W. Bush, discussing the origin and the importance of the Latin phrase E Pluribus Unum, inscribed on all modern U.S. coinage. This is the first time in history a U.S. Mint product has included a message from the President of the United States.

“The history of our Nation is told through its coins, a concept that the 50 State Quarters™ Program has reinforced,” said David Pickens, Associate Director for Numismatics. “The Formation of the Union Set is a wonderful educational opportunity, and will delight both collectors and non-collectors.”

Incorporating photographs of many coins in circulation prior to the establishment of the U.S. Mint, plus fascinating images of rare historic archival records from NARA, The Formation of the Union Set tells the story of the pivotal years between 1774 and 1792, when 13 small separate colonies declared their independence from England, and joined a newly established Union.

Customers may order The Formation of the Union Set five ways: First, they can save shipping and handling charges by ordering online using the Mint’s secure web site at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. Second, they may call 1-800-USA-MINT. Third, they may download a fax order form from the web site and fax it to (301) 918-2039. Fourth and fifth, customers may request an order form from the Mint Customer Care Center at (202) 283-COIN, or download an order form at the web site, and mail it to the United States Mint, P.O. Box 382601, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-8601 (Attention: Order Processing). A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all telephone, mail, and fax orders for these products. Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling (301) 344﷓4144 TTY. Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for delivery.

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Mint today announced that the 9-Proof Set and Silver Proof Set for 1999 are expected to sell out by the end of March.

“These are the final proof coins manufactured in the twentieth century and the final chance for collectors to make sure they have the first five 50 State Quarters proof coins,” said Mint Director Philip N. Diehl. “The growing awareness of the program and the extraordinary demand for the 50 State Quarters throughout 1999 makes these sets even more precious, as additions to established collections or as starter sets for new collectors.”

Sales of the 9-coin 1999 Proof Set, which went on sale on May 21, 1999, have reached 2,379,870 sets, or 95 percent of the estimated total production of 2.5 million sets. Sales of the 5-coin State Quarters Proof Set, which went on sale June 5, have reached 1,147,118, or 96 percent of the estimated total production of 1,190,000 sets. Sales of the 9-coin 1999 Silver Proof Set, which sent on sale on October 29, 1999, have reached 746,155 sets, or 94 percent of the estimated total production of 800,000 sets.

The 9-Coin Proof set includes one quarter from each of the five states (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut) honored in 1999 as well as the 1999 Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, and Kennedy Half-Dollar, and sells for $19.95.

The 9-coin Silver Proof Set includes 90 percent silver version of the five 1999 50 State Quarters, as well as 90 percent silver versions of the Roosevelt dime and Kennedy half dollar, which also contained silver prior to 1965, for $31.95.

Both the 9-coin Proof Set and Silver Proof Set were produced at the San Francisco Mint and bear the “S” mint mark. Both proof set cases are inserted into specially printed sleeves and are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. There are no order limits.

Customers interested in these items should place orders as soon as possible on the U.S. Mint’s secure website at www.USMINT.gov. In addition, customers may also order by telephone by calling 1-800-USA-MINT. If customers prefer to fax their orders they may download an order form from the website and fax it to (301) 344-4150. Telephone and fax orders incur an additional shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order, which is waived when ordering directly online.

Mint Moving Toward Top Tier of ‘E-Tailers’ in Only Eight Months

Washington, D.C., January 31, 2000 — The United States Mint today announced preliminary fourth quarter 1999 sales revenues from its website catalog at www.USMINT.gov. Total online sales amounted to $26.5 million for the period October 1 through December 31, 1999, an increase of 114% from third quarter 1999 online sales.

The U.S. Mint launched secure online sales at USMINT.gov in late April 1999. Online sales during the fourth quarter represented about 33% of total numismatic sales for the last quarter of 1999 (excluding wholesale bullion sales and the sales of circulating coinage to the Federal Reserve Bank).

“Fourth quarter sales, annualized, represent more than $100 million a year in online sales and place the U.S. Mint among the nation’s top e-tailers,” said Philip N. Diehl, Director of the U.S. Mint. “The combination of a blockbuster product like the 50 State Quarters and one of the best Web sites in the business has moved us into the top tier of e-tailers in only eight months.”

The Mint sells collectible coins, coin-based jewelry, and related products on its Web site. Products related to the Mint’s 50 State Quarters program have been especially popular with online consumers, and have driven single day sales past the $2 million mark during peak periods. During the fourth quarter, the Mint averaged $9.2 million in online sales a month, despite the fact that many of the Mint’s most popular products were sold out by December 1, as holiday shoppers flocked to the Web site to purchase gifts.

“Our big challenge this year will be to feed sufficient quantities of new product to our Web catalog to keep up with the strong demand we saw at the end of 1999,” Diehl said. “In early January, online sales returned with a vengeance, and we’ll be looking for partnerships with private sector suppliers to help us quickly develop high-value products to meet consumer demand. This will be crucial to continuing the explosive growth we experienced in 1999.”

As an example of the strong sales trends in recent months, the Mint cited its experience in launching the last two state quarters in the 50 State Quarters program. Online sales of the Connecticut quarter began on October 18. The Mint expected to sell 7 million Connecticut quarters over the following week, up from 1.4 million Georgia quarters only 10 weeks earlier.

All 7 million Connecticut quarters sold in four-and half-hours. The total number of catalog visits at USMINT.gov on October 18 was approximately 28,000. When the Mint launched the most recent state quarter (Massachusetts) on January 11, the Web site was hit by 20,000 simultaneous visitors the first hour. “We has 20,000 customers standing at the door when we opened the virtual store that day,” Diehl said. “Many others drove by, saw the crowd, and came back later.”

The Mint has seen Web site traffic and online sales continue to surge with the January 27 launch of the Golden Dollar, which is currently available at USMINT.gov. On March 6, the Mint will begin a $40 million nationwide television, radio, print, and Internet advertising campaign in support of the Golden Dollar. The campaign will continue for six months and is expected to generate significant traffic for the Mint’s Web site. Then, in late March, the Mint will begin online sales of the Maryland 50 State Quarter. New state quarters are issued every 10 weeks through 2008.

To keep up with demand, the Mint will be making a number of technology enhancements, including expanding the number of servers supporting its Web site. “Online traffic has doubled over the past six months, and we are expanding capacity to handle another four-fold increase in the next six months, ” said Diehl.

The Mint also released other web-related sales information. During the fourth quarter of 1999, the Mint’s average online sales transaction was almost $90. Average time to fulfill online orders was six days and about 90% of all orders were shipped within two weeks. Total website uptime (time the site was available to consumers) was 99.7% in December, well above the 95% average of major e-tailers reported by Service Metrics in the November 22, 1999, edition of InternetWeek.

The United States Mint is an agency of the U.S. Treasury Department, producing more than 20 billion circulating coins annually and selling more than $1 billion in collectible and bullion products in 1999, returning profit of $1.1 billion in 1999. The profits of the U.S. Mint are returned to the Mint’s stockholders, the nation’s taxpayers.

To visit the U.S. Mint’s online catalog, click on www.USMINT.gov.

Sellout Nears for 1999 Proof Sets and SBA Bags

Washington, D.C. - Director Philip N. Diehl today announced that the U.S. Mint has lifted household order limits on the 1999 Silver Proof Set, allowing unlimited sales of the last numismatic set this year featuring the 50 State Quarters.

“The phenomenal popularity of the 50 State Quarters has made it a challenge to make our product available to all Americans as fairly as possible,” said Diehl. “Consistent with our policy throughout the year, we’ve kept a close eye on sales volume and the pace of sales, and now feel everyone has had a chance to purchase at least two of these beautiful sets,” Diehl said.

The Mint four times this year has increased or lifted household order limits on products after initially restricting sales to allow all customers an opportunity to buy those products before they sellout. This included the Delaware and Pennsylvania Commemorative Covers; the 9- and 5-Coin Proof Sets and Uncirculated Set; the Coin & Die Sets and 1999 Susan B. Anthony Proof Coins; and now the 9-Coin Silver Proof Set.

As of December 14, Silver Proof Set sales had reached 463,900 sets, or 58 percent of expected production. Total sales of the 9-Coin Proof Set had reached 2,140,000, or 85 percent of expected production. Sales of the 1999 Uncirculated Set had reached 1,056,000 sets, or 70 percent of expected production.

The Mint also announced the sellout of all 50 State Quarters Coin and Die Sets. More than 90 percent of the remaining 1000-coin and 25-coin bags of Susan B. Anthony Dollars have been sold, with a sellout expected in the next two weeks.

To order the 1999 Silver Proof Sets and other coin products call 1-800-USA-MINT or visit the Mint’s website at www.USMINT.gov.

Expedited orders can be placed by calling 1-800-USA-MINT for an additional cost of $10.00. Expedited orders are available only via 1-800-USA-MINT.

Nationwide Popularity of 50 State Quarters Drives Single-Day Sales to $2 Million -

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Mint reported today that, because of the recent unprecedented growth in interest in U.S. coins, the Mint achieved its first day of more than $1 million in Internet sales on its website (WWW.USMINT.GOV) on Monday, October 18. Sales were so heavy that the Mint sold more than $1 million by 10:35 a.m. By the end of the day total Internet sales reached $2,031,620 million, exceeding the previous record by an astounding 330 percent.

“We have been looking forward to this day for several weeks now,” said Mint Director Philip N. Diehl. “We started Internet sales only six months ago and had our first $1 million month in May. Our first $1 million week came on July 17, and now, barely three months later, we have posted our first $1 million day.”

“At this rate, we may have our first $1 million hour by year-end,” he added.

Director Diehl attributed today’s sales surge to the launch of collector sales of the Connecticut quarter, which is the latest coin to be launched as part of the Mint’s 50 State Quarters program. Diehl also noted that the very popular Collector’s Map, which is used to hold and display a collector’s set of the 50 State Quarters, was also a factor in achieving the new sales record.

Monday was the first day for Internet sales of 100- and 1,000-coin bags of quarters honoring the state of Connecticut. By the end of the day, the Mint had sold more than 26 million Connecticut quarters on its website.

“Our market research indicates there are now 106 million Americans, children and adults, actively collecting the 50 State Quarters from pocket change,” Diehl said. “In the months ahead, we expect the number of state quarter collectors to reach 160 million. The 50 State Quarters are the hottest collectible in a generation.”

The 50 State Quarters Program was launched in January 1999, and demand for 1999 quarters has risen steadily throughout the year. Current demand is running at an annualized rate of about 5.5 billion quarters, compared to 2.3 billion in 1998. Only state quarters are being produced in 1999. Every ten weeks, through 2008, the Mint is issuing a new quarter honoring one of the 50 states, with Connecticut being the most recent. The states are being recognized in the order in which they ratified the Constitution or joined the union. The traditional eagle-reverse quarter will return in 2009 after all 50 states have been honored.

“I also want to take this opportunity to alert America’s coin collectors to the fact that many of the items in the Mint’s 1999 Holiday Catalog seem destined for early sellouts,” Diehl continued. “Extraordinary Internet sales are rapidly depleting our stocks of collectible coins that usually are available until year-end. This year, many of these items will be gone as early as November. This most likely includes 1999 proof Eagles-including certain gold and silver options, 1999 five-coin Proof Sets, bags of 1999 Susan B. Anthony dollars, 50 State Quarter Coin and Die Sets, and many of our 50 State Quarter jewelry items.”

Orders on the Mint’s website are exempt from the Mint’s shipping and handling charges, and customers who have used Internet ordering have reported significantly faster deliveries than with mail and telephone orders.

Connecticut Quarter Features the Charter Oak, a Piece of Colonial American History

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Mint announced today the launch of the Connecticut state quarter, the fifth quarter in the Mint’s 50 State Quarters series. Connecticut was the fifth state to ratify the Constitution and join the Union, and will now be honored as the last state quarter of the 20th Century.

Kermit the Frog, the official “spokesfrog” for the 50 State Quarters Program, joined the director of the Mint, Philip N. Diehl at the Philadelphia Mint for the official ceremonial striking of Connecticut quarter, which will be shipped to the Federal Reserve Banks on October 12th.

As the official “spokesfrog,” Kermit has raised public awareness of the 50 State Quarters Program via an extensive print and broadcast campaign to educate Americans about the new quarters.

“Issuing the first five quarters of The 50 State Quarters Program gives us a great opportunity to look back on the success of the program over the past year,” said Philip N. Diehl, director of the U.S. Mint. “The Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia quarters have each been greeted with tremendous excitement from the public, and we have no doubt the Connecticut quarter will get a similar reception.”

“Connecticut’s roots are deeply steeped in American history, so we are especially proud to feature the Charter Oak on the Connecticut quarter,” said John Rowland, governor of Connecticut. “Being the last State Quarter issued in this century is a great honor for the citizens of Connecticut.”

Overall public awareness for the 50 State Quarters Program is extraordinarily high after only eight months. Mint market research indicates that 70% of all adults have seen at least one of the new quarters. More than 91 million American adults are actively collecting the state quarters and 61% of all adults say they intend to collect them. Demand for quarters has doubled since the program began in January, and is now running at 5 billion per year. Public demand for 50 State Quarters products has driven Mint Internet sales of collectible coins to $1 - $1.5 million a week.

The Connecticut quarter reverse (tails) features the Charter Oak, a white oak tree that until 1856 stood in Hartford, Connecticut. The history of the Charter Oak began on October 31, 1687, when Sir Edmund Andros, a British representative for King James II, demanded the surrender of Connecticut’s Charter, a document that allowed Connecticut to maintain an independent, self-reliant colonial government. During the heated discussion, with the Charter on the table between the opposing parties, the candles were mysteriously snuffed out. When they were re-lighted, the Connecticut Charter was gone, saved by Captain Joseph Wadsworth from the hands of the British and hidden in a hollow of the majestic 1,000-year-old white oak, henceforth known as the Charter Oak.

Legislation signed by the President in late 1997 authorized the Mint to honor the 50 states in the order they entered the Union or ratified the Constitution by producing five quarters each year from 1999 through 2008 with reverse designs celebrating the heritage of each state. The design process for each quarter is determined within each state by the Governor before design concepts are sent to the Mint, and then returned to the states for final selection. Approval of the final design rests with the Treasury Secretary. The well-known “Eagle” reverse quarter is scheduled to resume in 2009.

The 50 State Quarters are manufactured at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which produce all legal tender U.S. circulating coins, before being shipped to the Federal Reserve for distribution through the banking system. The Federal Reserve orders new quarters to ensure an adequate supply to meet the needs of commerce as commercial banks demand. The Mint projects production of 650 to 750 million quarters of each state design.

For more information on the 50 State Quarters and how to collect them, visit the Mint’s web site at www.usmint.gov.

HOUSEHOLD ORDER LIMIT RAISED BY AN ADDITIONAL 5 SETS
9-COIN SILVER PROOF SET DELAYED UNTIL OCTOBER Household Order Limit Set at 2; No 5-Coin Option Available

Chicago - Mint Director Philip N. Diehl today announced that the Mint has increased its production estimate for the 9-Coin Proof Set by at least 500,000 sets, and has raised the order limit by another 5 sets per household. Previous purchasers of two sets will be able to buy an additional five sets.

“The limit we placed on the 1999 Proof Sets has had the desired effect,” said Diehl, speaking at the American Numismatic Association’s 1999 World’s Fair of Money. “Over the past two months, we’ve given all our customers a fair shot at getting at least two 9-Coin Proof Sets, and now we are responding to customers who have asked for an opportunity to buy more sets.”

“We are aiming at total production of 2.5 million 9-Coin sets to fulfill the extraordinary demand from the collectors and the general public generated by the 50 State Quarters Program.”

“In order to produce 500,000 additional proof sets, we are pushing back the release of the 1999 Silver Proof Set by one month until October. Our estimated production run for the Silver Proof Set will be 800,000 sets, with an order limit of 2 per household. In order to accomplish this, we will not offer a separate 5-coin silver proof quarters set as we originally planned.”

“I want to reiterate to collectors that all our efforts have been focused on the challenge of making as many Proof Sets available as possible,” said Diehl. “Last year, we sold approximately 2.1 million 5-Coin Proof Sets. To accommodate demand for the numismatic sets containing the 50 State Quarters, we are now planning to manufacture the equivalent of some 5 million 5-Coin Proof Sets. Even so, we do not expect to meet all demand for the proof set.”

The new order limit on the 9-Coin Proof Set allows customers who have already ordered two sets to now order an additional five 9-Coin Proof Sets. New customers now placing orders will also be limited to five sets per household.

Customers may order the 1999 9-Coin or 5-Coin Proof Sets:

* via secure Internet connection, which is exempt from shipping and handling fees, at www.USMINT.gov;

* by mail order forms obtained from the Mint’s Online Catalog at www.USMINT.gov, and mailed to the U.S. Mint at P.O. Box 382604, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-8604;

* by fax at (301) 344-4150;

* and by telephone at 1-800-USA-MINT (1-800-872-6468).

* Hearing and speech impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling (301) 344-4144.

The 9-Coin 1999 Proof Set is $19.95, and the 5-Coin State Quarters Proof Set $13.95, plus a shipping fee of $3.95 per order. A limit of 2 sets per household continues in effect for the 5-Coin State Quarters Proof Set. All sets will be shipped by priority mail in customized security containers.

The 9-Coin Proof Set contains a Lincoln cent, Jefferson nickel, Roosevelt dime, and Kennedy half dollar in one sealed presentation case, and the first five 50 State Quarters honoring Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut packaged in a separate case. The 5-Coin State Quarters Proof Set may be purchased separately.

The Mint’s annual proof set is a collection of each coin made for circulation minted using highly polished dies. Produced at the San Francisco Mint, each coin bears the S mint mark and is struck at least twice to ensure fine detail in a frosted cameo image on a mirrored background. The sealed cases containing the coins are inserted into a specially printed sleeve and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

New Quarter Is The Fourth To Be Launched In The 50 State Quarters Series

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Mint today announced that it has begun shipping the fourth design in the new 50 State Quarters series to the Federal Reserve for distribution to commercial banks and financial institutions. The fourth quarter design honors Georgia, the fourth state to join the Union. Shipment of the Georgia quarters follows the release of the Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey quarters shipped earlier in the year. A quarter honoring the state of Connecticut will be next, scheduled for distribution later this year.

“The Georgia quarter design was agreed upon by both governor Roy Barnes and the Georgia Council of the Arts, making it a very special addition to the series,” said Philip N. Diehl, director of the U.S. Mint. “The state of Georgia should be very proud of their contribution in designing the nation’s fourth 50 State Quarter.”

The reverse (tails) design of the Georgia 50 State Quarter prominently features the beloved peach, the quintessential Georgia fruit, within the confines of a silhouette outline of the state. The central design is bordered in oak sprigs, symbolic of the state tree. Draped across the top of the design is a banner bearing the state motto, “Wisdom, Justice, Moderation.”

Legislation signed by the President in late 1997 authorized the Mint to honor the 50 states in the order they entered the Union or ratified the Constitution by producing five quarters each year, from 1999 through 2008, with reverse designs celebrating the heritage of each state. The design process for each quarter is determined within each state by the Governor before design concepts are sent to the Mint, and then returned to the states for final selection. Approval of the final design rests with the Treasury Secretary. The well-known “Eagle” reverse quarter is scheduled to resume in 2009.

“With the release of the Georgia quarter, the nation will now have an opportunity to learn the rich and celebrated history of our state,” Georgia Governor Roy Barnes said. “We feel truly privileged to be honored on this distinctive example of American coinage.”

The 50 State Quarters are manufactured at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which produce all legal tender U.S. circulating coins, before being shipped to the Federal Reserve for distribution through the banking system. The Federal Reserve orders new quarters to ensure an adequate supply to meet the needs of commerce as commercial banks demand. The Mint projects production of up to 750 million quarters for each state reverse design.

For further information on the 50 State Quarters program and future collectible products, visit the Mint’s web site at www.usmint.gov.