WASHINGTON – The United States Mint today announced that the 2006 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Silver Proof Set™ will be released January 19, 2006, at 12:00 noon (ET). The release date for this product is two weeks earlier than in 2005, as part of the United States Mint’s continuing commitment to make products available earlier in the year.

Priced at $23.95, the 2006 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Silver Proof Set includes all five new commemorative quarter-dollar coins that will be issued in 2006 as part of the United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program. Minted in proof condition in 90% silver, otherwise known as coin silver, this year’s quarters honor Nevada (The Silver State), Nebraska (Chimney Rock), Colorado (Colorful Colorado), North Dakota (Badlands with Bison) and South Dakota (Mount Rushmore and Pheasant.

Each of these beautiful silver proof coins has a distinctive cameo appearance created by the contrast of a finely detailed frosted foreground against a shimmering, mirror-like background. Produced at the United States Mint at San Francisco, the coins bear the “S” mint mark. The sealed cases containing the coins are inserted into a specially printed sleeve and are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Because we expect demand for the 2006 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Silver Proof Set to be high, customers are encouraged to place orders early. This product is available through the United States Mint’s Online Subscription Program. For more information about this convenient ordering method, please visit www.usmint.gov.

Customers can purchase the 2006 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Silver 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 (ET), 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. (ET), Monday through Friday.