Group of 3 United States Special Mint Set in Original Government Packaging! From 1965-1967 with 15 Coins Inside!. In response to a nationwide shortage of coinage, the Treasury Department announced that no proof set or mint sets would be produced for collectors. In their place, so-called Special Mint Sets were issued featuring examples of each denomination carrying a finish superior to the standard circulation strikes, but not up the quality of proof coinage. Starting with 1965 Special Mint Set, each of the set contained the Kennedy Half Dollar, Washington Quarter, Roosevelt Dime, Jefferson Nickel, and Lincoln Cent. The standard composition of the traditionally silver coins was changed starting this year. Rather than the previous 90% purity, the half dollar was struck in 40% silver. The five coins of the set were produced at the San Francisco Mint, although as with all coinage issued for this year mint marks were not used. Packaging for 1965 consisted of the five coins and a blue mint token sealed in a single plastic cellophane wrap. This was protected between two pieces of cardboard and placed within a white envelope with a notation of the contents. For 1966-1967, rather than the previous cellophane and white envelopes, the coins were mounted within a rigid plastic holder with a blue background. This holder was placed within an outer blue cardboard box. Special mint set coins typically have a uniformly brilliant or proof like finish. A minority of examples will display cameo contrast with design elements frosted against a proof like background. These cameo or deep cameo examples are prized by collectors and command premiums.