2005-S 25c Silver Quarters Proof Set, 5 Coins PR

Original Packaging: Two holders were required to house all eleven coins. Each holder consisted of a two-piece, transparent plastic casing with frosted borders. This casing held a red fiberboard insert with the additional word silver before proof set. It featured a background graphic of the American flag and was holed appropriately for the coins it contained. One holder housed the cent, two Westward Journey nickels, and a dime, half dollar, and dollar, while the other contained the five statehood quarters for 2005. The two holders were stacked and slipped into a white cardboard box. This box was graphically similar to the one used for the clad Proof set, but it included the additional word silver.

A five-piece Proof set featuring just the state quarters was offered in silver, and its packaging was similar to that described for the clad quarter set. The outer box featured the additional word silver before the words proof set.

Commentary: Sales of the 2005-S silver Proof sets, in both options, were similar to those of 2004.

2006-S Clad Proof Set

Original Packaging: The same packaging used in 2005 was repeated for 2006, though a modification was made for this set’s single nickel. Two similar holders were required to house the 10 coins in 2006’s complete Proof set, and they differed only in their inserts and the selection of coins included.

In a conclusion to the Westward Journey Nickel Series™, the profile of Thomas Jefferson used solely in 2005 was replaced with an attractive, facing bust that has been used ever since. This portrait was designed by artist Jamie Franki and sculpted by Donna Weaver of the U.S. Mint’s staff. In a move that was heralded as the “Return to Monticello,” the original Jefferson nickel reverse of 1938 through 2003 was restored. It, too, has been retained to the present day.

Offered once again was the American Legacy Collection, a deluxe packaging option that included the complete, 10-piece clad Proof set, as well as two of the three commemorative silver dollars for 2006. The program honoring the tercentenary of Ben Franklin’s birth included two silver dollars; the Mint opted to use just the one marking his role as a Founding Father, thus making room to include the third 2006 commemorative silver dollar, which marked the centennial of the San Francisco Mint’s survival of the great 1906 earthquake. Similar packaging to that for the 2005 entry was employed, but the side panels now included attractive graphics in addition to the simple text found previously.

Commentary: The Proof coins of 2006 proved to be satisfactory in every respect, save for the usual grousing about some of the state quarters’ displaying less than full cameo frosting. This seems to be more a function of their distinctive designs than of any lack of quality control.

Source: Whitman