Home >> Collecting >> Coin Collecting

What Coins Are in a 2003 US Uncirculated Coin Set?

The U.S. Mint produces tens of millions of coins every day, many of which end up in the hands of collectors. Uncirculated sets consist of regularly minted coins put aside for collectors before they can enter general use. The 2003 uncirculated set contains coins of every denomination, including special-issue dollar coins and state quarters. Depending on a collector's desire, an uncirculated set may contain coins minted in Denver, Philadelphia or both.

Penny
- The U.S. penny is made primarily of zinc, not of copper.
  
  The 2003 coin set contains a penny with President Abraham Lincoln's profile on one side and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. This design saw production from 1959-2008, after which the Lincoln penny was modified to commemorate his birth and the 100th anniversary of the first such coin.
Nickel
- The Jefferson nickel in production through 2003 was designed by Felix Schlag.
  
  The 2003 uncirculated set additionally contains a Jefferson nickel, with President Thomas Jefferson's profile on one side and Jefferson's home, Monticello, on the reverse. This style of nickel remained in production from 1938-2003 with almost no changes or modifications to the design.
Dime
- President Roosevelt was chosen for the dime in part because of his involvement with the March of Dimes' fight against polio.
  
  The 2003 dime contains a profile image of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, with the reverse showing a torch, an olive branch and an oak branch. These symbolize liberty, peace and strength. The 2003 design was first minted in 1946, shortly after Roosevelt's death. The dime is the smallest, thinnest coin produced by the U.S. Mint.
State Quarters
- The variety of state quarters makes for interesting collector's items.
  
  Beginning in 1999, the U.S. Mint implemented a 50 State Quarters program. Each quarter has President George Washington in profile on the front, with each state providing a unique, state-themed design for the reverse side. The 2003 state quarters included Illinois, Alabama, Maine, Missouri and Arkansas.
Half Dollar
- President Kennedy was the youngest candidate ever elected president.
  
  The 2003 U.S. half-dollar shows President John Kennedy on the front, with a stylized version of the presidential seal on the reverse. It is made up of an eagle with a shield over its breast, an olive branch symbolizing peace, and 13 arrows symbolizing military strength. A ring of 50 stars surrounds the eagle.
Sacagawea Dollar
- No known image of Sacagawea exists, so the artist designing the Sacagawea dollar coin used a Shoshone model.
  
  Beginning in 2000, the U.S. Mint began issuing gold-colored Sacagawea dollar coins honoring the Shoshone Indian who guided Lewis and Clark on their historic exploratory expedition. The Sacagawea dollar was minted from 2000-07, when it was replaced by the Presidential One Dollar Coin Series. The Sacagawea dollar contains no actual gold, but rather a mixture of metals allowing it to be used in vending machines that accepted the older Susan B. Anthony dollar coin.

Coin Collecting