The last annual set of the year finally has a release date! The 2020 Uncirculated (Mint) Set was updated on the United States Mint production schedule with a November 30th release date, a retail price, and a set mintage limit. However, what makes this release big news is the fact that they will be releasing the set WITHOUT the bonus premium Jefferson nickel.
Including two folders featuring coins from both Philadelphia and Denver, each folder contains 10 coins with an uncirculated finish. In addition to the last five of six quarters (American Samoa, Weir Farm, Salt River Bay, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller, Tallgrass Prairie) released from the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, the set, or each folder will feature a Native American $1 Coin with the portrait of Elizabeth Peratrovich, a Kennedy half dollar, a Roosevelt dime, a Jefferson nickel, and a Lincoln cent. The set, retailing at $25.25, will contain 20 coins overall and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The Mint added that due to the effects of COVID-19 on their production facilities, the quantity manufactured would be no more than 213,000, which is 137,000 less than 2019’s output. They also named COVID-19 the reason there would be no extra Jefferson nickel added to the set with the “W” mintmark representing West Point. While reasons seem understandable for the exclusion, the hobby may or may not have taken a hit as dealers have been offering those “bonus” coins in graded holders as they are the first of their kind. Not having an Uncirculated Jefferson Nickel with the ‘W’ mintmark will certainly mess up the potential for a complete set in the years to come. But once again, time will only tell how much this decision will really affect the hobby.