Q. David Bowers
Coinage Context
Another Proof variety: Variety II dollars were included in the Proof sets that were actually minted in1976, along with cents, nickels, and dimes dated 1976, and quarters and half dollars that bore the dual date 1776-1976.
Numismatic Information
Availability: Gem Proofs are readily available today. Of the 125 coins of this variety that had been submitted to PCGS by January 1993, just two have been called Proof-64, a testimony to the quality controls in force at the San Francisco Mint during this era. As further testimony, 57 coins have attained the Proof-67 level, with 32 pieces at the Proof-68 level, and one coin at the Proof-69 level, with no "perfect" Proof-70 coins listed.
Varieties
Proofs:
VARIETY II: Issue of 1976
THIN, TALL, OVAL LETTER O's.
1. 1776-1976-S copper-nickel clad. Proofs only. Issued in regular six-piece Proof sets of 1976, release ended July 22, 1976.
Proofs.
Enabling legislation: Act of July 23, 1965 (dad metal), Act of December 31, 1970, Act of October 18, 1973, Act of December 26, 1974, and others.
Designer of obverse: Frank Gasparro.
Designer of reverse: Dennis Williams.
Weight (copper-nickel clad): 350 grains (tolerance 4%); outer layers of .750 copper and.250 nickel bonded to inner core of pure copper.
Dies prepared (approximate): Obverse: 1,678; Reverse: 1,199.
Business strike mintage: None.
Proof mintage: 4,149,730.
Comment on availability, Proof-65 or better: The majority of Proof coins of this date exist at this level.
Comment on availability, Proof-64: Scarcer than above.
Comment on availability, froof-63: Still scarcer. Comment on availability, Proof-60 to 62: Very few coins of this date exist at this grape level, as quality control was superb during this time.
Commentary
Readily available in Proof-65 grade.