In 1999, millions of state quarters entered into circulation with the release of the Statehood Quarter Program. However, what many collectors do not realize is that these state quarters were also issued as part of a Proof set each year.  These Proof quarters, struck by the San Francisco Mint, are much more beautiful and much more rare than the regular Uncirculated versions.  Featuring sharp, frosted reliefs on a mirror-like background, proof coins are struck at least twice on specially polished dies. Act now to preorder the NEW 2009 sets featuring the quarters issued in the final year: District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - each in original gov’t packaging – while supplies last.