With the 1975 proof set, the US Mint introduced the bicentennial quarter, half dollar and dollar coins withtheir special reverse images. These designs commemorated our nation's early days during colonial times and ouradvancement into space to land on the moon.
The proof set contained six coins of $1.91 in face value: the one cent, the five cent, the ten cent, the 25cent, the 50 cent and the one dollar coins. The US Mint sold the 1975 proof sets initially for $7.00 each.
1975 Proof Set Package
The 1975 annual Proof Set packaging continued with the black and silver design. The silver script at the topidentifies the set as "United States Proof Set • 1975" on the flap of the black box. The box dimensions are roughly3.5 inches by 5.5 inches by 3/8 inch.
Like earlier years, the back and edges of the black box do not include any other identification.
The black flap slides from under the written section to access the lens holding the coins. The black plasticwith the raised silver eagle covers the obverse of the coins until it is folded back on its hinges.
1975 Proof Set Contents and Proof Coins
When folded back, the black plastic cover forms an upright display for the proof coins. Some people removed theblack plastic, and sets are found today with just the lens and coins, not the black plastic flip cover.
Most interesting, the 1975 proof set, and all of the 1975 coins, did not have the year, "1975," on any of thebicentennial quarter, half and dollar coins. Only the penny, nickel and dime included the year of the coins and theproof set.
Centered below the portraits of Kennedy, Eisenhower and Washington, the dates of 1776-1976 recognized thenation's 200th year anniversary celebrated on our coinage during 1975 and 1976. At the bottom of the obverse coins,raised silver letters state, "UNITED STATES PROOF COINS." In the upper left corner, raised letters in clear plasticexplain "PACKAGED BY US MINT."
On the reverse of the coins, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell and Moon, and a Colonial Drummer distinguish thehalf dollar, dollar and quarter dollar coins, respectively.
1975 Proof Set Coin Specifications
The specifications for the coins in the 1975 annual Proof Set:
| Denomination | Cent | Five Cent | Dime | Quarter | Half Dollar | Dollar |
| Obverse | Lincoln | Jefferson | Roosevelt | Washington | Kennedy | Eisenhower |
| Designed by | V.D. Brenner | Felix Schlag | John R. Sinnock | John | Gilroy | Frank |
| Reverse | Lincoln Memorial | Montecello | Torch, Olive Branch, Oak Branch | Colonial Drummer | Independence Hall | Liberty Bell, Moon |
| Designed by | Frank Gasparro | Felix Schlag | John R. Sinnock | Jack L. Ahr | Seth G. Huntington | Dennis R. Williams |
| Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Zinc | 25% Nickel, 75% Copper | Cupro-Nickel Clad, 8.33% Ni, Balance Cu | Cupro-Nickel Clad, 8.33% Ni, Balance Cu | Cupro-Nickel Clad, 8.33% Ni, Balance Cu | Cupro-Nickel Clad, 8.33% Ni, Balance Cu |
| Standard | 3.110 g | 5.000 g | 2.268 g | 5.670 g | 11.340 g | 22.68 g |
| Standard | 0.750 in 19.05 mm | 0.835 in 21.21 mm | 0.705 in 17.91 mm | 0.955 in | 1.205 in | 1.5 in |
| Edge | Plain | Plain | Reeded | Reeded | Reeded | Reeded |
In later sets, the US Mint advises, "To preserve the beauty of your Proof Set, it should be stored in a cool,dry place."
1975 Proof Set Year Population and Cost of Living
The world population in 1975 was 4,090,414,797. This represents 59.7% of the world's population in 2010.
$100 in 1975 equals $405.31 in 2010 dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Inflation Calculator.
New houses in 1975 cost $42,600 which would be $172,662 today.
The average income was $8631 per year ($34,982 in today's dollars).
Gas averaged $0.567 per gallon ($2.30 in today's money).
The average new car was $4,950 ($20,062).
(Chart views into the cost of living changes throughout the Proof Setyears)
