June 25, 2002
United States Mint Withdraws 1999-2001 Proof Set Collection
Back to the U.S. Mint Press Release List
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2002 - The United States Mint today announced it
will discontinue sales of its recently released 1999-2001 Proof Set
Collection because of newly-discovered deterioration that affected a
number of sets, apparently during storage.
Evidence of tarnishing and spotting on certain coins in the 1999 Proof
Sets has exceeded acceptable quality standards. As a consequence of this
evaluation, sales of the sets have been discontinued.
"It is unfortunate that initial inventory inspections earlier this
year failed to uncover the damage, and we regret any inconvenience this
may have caused to our customers," said David Pickens, Associate
Director for Sales and Marketing. "The United States Mint is
committed to the strictest quality standards - anything less is
unacceptable." All remaining 1999-2001 Proof Sets will be destroyed.
The United States Mint has no numismatic inventory of proof sets,
uncirculated sets, or silver sets that will be offered. The rationale for
this offer was that a 10-year program would require the Mint to offer
"catch-up sets" like the 1999-2001 bundle. This inventory was
held back for future collectors; however, no further sets will be
inventoried in the future.
Those 1999-2001 Proof Set Collection orders received prior to June 13,
2002, will be processed. However, the United States Mint stands behind all
its products with a 30-day "no-questions-asked" customer
satisfaction policy: Customers may return products for a return or
replacement within 30 days of receiving the product if they are
dissatisfied with their purchase.
For additional information on how to obtain a refund, customers are
encouraged to visit the United States Mint's secure website at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.
If they prefer, customers can contact a United States Mint customer
service representative by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and
speech impaired customers may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468) (TTY).
Contact: Press inquiries: Michael White (202) 354-7222 Customer Service
information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468) |