WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today announced that the 2005 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Proof Set™ will be released January 6, 2005, at 12:00 noon (ET). That date is about five months earlier than this proof set was offered in 2004. The United States Mint is attempting to make many of its 2005 products available earlier in the year, at the request of its customers.

The set, priced at $15.95, features proof versions of the commemorative quarter-dollar coins from each state honored this year under the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program –California, Minnesota, Oregon, Kansas and West Virginia.

Proof coins are manufactured at the United States Mint at San Francisco using specially prepared, highly polished dies. Each coin is struck at least twice to ensure the finest detail in a frosted cameo image on a bright, mirror-like background. Each coin bears the “S” mint mark. The sealed cases containing the coins are inserted into specially printed boxes and are accompanied by a United States Mint Certificate of Authenticity.

This product is available through the United States Mint’s Subscription Program. For more information about this convenient ordering method, please visit www.usmint.gov. Customers can purchase the 2005 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Proof Set online through the United States Mint’s secure website at www.usmint.gov, or by calling toll-free 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468) 8:00 a.m. to midnight (E.T.), seven days a week. Hearing- and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468) 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (E.T.), Monday through Friday. Also, orders may be mailed to the United States Mint, P.O. Box 382601, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-8601. A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders.