I haven't done a silver unboxing in quite a while.  In fact, I never knew it was a *thing*.  I have unboxed plenty of silver in my time, with great anticipation, but never thought about sharing the excitement with other stackers.  Today's unboxing is kind of special.  As excited as I am to unbox this set, it is not for me.  It is a gift to a member of the Steemsilvergold community.  That person doesn't know it is coming yet.  So it is going to be a fun surprise.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNW62fqaQpSiSkFfzVwhM2UVPu6CHaVxPvG2x5WpnqPCe/image.png)

I found a nice US Mint Proof Set on the internet that I thought I would buy and share.  It is not the most expensive gift in the world, but I hope to make it just a little bit more special.  But more on that later.  Lots of collectors prefer to collect silver or gold that comes in the form of actual currency.  While I have some cull coins, the majority of my silver is in the form of rounds or bars (no hand poured silver just yet...although I may try my hand at it one day).

![silver2 (2).png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNmqzuvqiLFcqN8EjH21DBzxEbeNTeDJoWJFxeEGgw3q3/silver2%20(2).png)

The box handled the mail fairly well. The edges of the box are just a little bit collapsed, but not bad of a set that is a decade and a half old.  I know some folks like to keep collectors items like this in the original box.  So I am glad the box is in good shape.  Inside the box is a set of 2003 proof coins.  The coins include:

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNNYqLnHPT1yz6jQFV9B71B1mpP4KjdAuRknLk82AU8RD/image.png)

The five US quarters that were minted in 2003, but in silver.  They weigh in at 6.250 grams and contain 90 percent silver, 10 percent copper.  The states in 2003 included:  Illinois, Alabama, Maine, Missouri and Arkansas.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSUcBKwh6kPfR6bauisEKibuuvX11vJTqL3wKq66qjkAs/image.png)

The Proof Set contains each denomination minted in 2003.  It includes a penny, nickel, dime, half dollar and dollar (the quarters are in the other set).  The metal composition and weights for each coin in this proof set are:

* The Penny is 2.5 grams is made of copper plated zinc.  The copper is 2.5 % of the total weight.
* The Nickel is 5 grams.  It is made of 25% nickel, 75% copper.
* The Dime is 2.5 grams.  It is made from 90% silver, 10% copper.
* The Half Dollar is 12.5 grams.  It is made from 90% silver, 10% copper.
* The Dollar is 8.1 gams.  It is made from 6% zinc, 3.5% Manganese, 2% nickel, the balance copper.

The set comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the US Mint that describes each of the coins.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRv9eCg6YqvVDTJXDcasd7M4Gg1XtCAysm3GugT4SBUD5/image.png)

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQE4cqaibTA7346pFdBgj5Jcw76j6Vp4oWtAq6ETNX14p/image.png)

Now for the exciting part.  As a member of the #steemsilvergold community, I have watched as my friends have all unboxed their silver and sent each other gifts.  I was feeling a bit left out and saw a unique opportunity to participate.  As a beneficiary of the sexiest bot on Steemit, [Silvergoldbotty](https://steemit.com/@silvergoldbotty), I feel connected to the broader community of fellow stackers.  So, this collection is going to someone who is a member of that community.  But what, there's more!

No, this is not the part where I tell you how, for three payments of 19.99, you can get your very own (fill in the blank).

For collectors, I would imagine it might be exciting to get a COA hand-signed by a former Director of the US Mint.  It just so happens, I have a friend who is a former Director of the US Mint.  I have asked that he personalize this proof set COA as part of my gift.  I think I would be pretty stoked to get a gift of any silver in the mail.  But getting a COA personalized by a Director of the Mint seems like it might add  to the excitement (okay, full disclosure, he has signed some COA's for me as well in the past).

So, watch your mailboxes.  I haven't gotten the COA signed, but it should take long.  Someone will have a bright day in their future!