Press Release
August 19, 1975
Hold for Release
11:00 a.m. PDT, Wednesday, August 20, 1975
In a break with its tradition ordering procedures for special coins, the U.S. Mint is taking the unusual step of offering 40% silver Bicentennial coins under a new Bulk Rate Program, Mrs. Mary Brooks, Director of the Mint, announced today.
The new Bulk Rate Program is offered in combination with the Mint’s long standing custom of accepting only mail orders for limited quantities of special coins and it applies only to the three-piece 40% silver Bicentennial uncirculated sets.
The program has been designed to comply with the wishes of Congress to make these historic coins available to the greatest number of people possible.
Under Public Law 93-127, Congress authorized a new coinage design and date emblematic of the Bicentennial of the American Revolution for dollars, half dollars and quarters. They also mandated the mintage of at least 45 million silver specimens of these coins to assure their wide availability to the public.
To encourage public participation in the national coinage tribute to the Bicentennial, the Treasury Department sponsored a national competition for the new designs. As a result of this competition a colonial drummer, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and moon were selected to appear on the reverses of 1776-1976 dated Washington quarters, Kennedy half dollars and Eisenhower dollars, respectively.
The bulk rate, open to all persons, permits the purchase of lots of 50 Bicentennial silver uncirculated sets at $7.00 per set. The sets sell for $9.00 each when ordered by mail from the Mint in lesser quantities. The lower price represents a $2.00 per set savings in order processing, packaging, postage and registry fees.
The Bulk Program for the 40% silver Bicentennial uncirculated sets goes into effect on September 1, 1975. Interested individuals, companies or organizations may make certified checks or money orders for lots of 50 sets or more payable to the Bureau of the Mint, and mail the orders to:
Bulk Rate
Bicentennial Coin Program
Post Office Box 5500
San Francisco, California 94101
After receipt of an order, it is expected that it will take 2 to 3 weeks to process the order and send the sets by registered mail. Each 50-unit package will contain two 8-3/4″ x 8-3/4″ color illustrated counter top posters and customer information about the Bicentennial coins.
A great number of financial institutions have already expressed an interest in selling these historic coins over the counter to their customers. The Mint anticipates that numerous others will also want to make these quality mementos of our Nation’s 200th birthday available to friends and customers.
The new Bicentennial circulating cupro-nickel coins will touch the hands of every man, woman and child in America. And the Mint also hopes that the silver specimens will become treasured family keepsakes of a momentous occasion in our national life.