What Is a United States Proof Set?
The United States Mint began producing proof coins in the early 1800s. These were special coins manufactured with extra care that imparted a special finish on the surface of the coin and then sold to coin collectors at The U.S. Mint offices in Philadelphia. Not every coin produced for circulation has a Proof counterpart. As time evolved, coin collectors requested one proof coin of every type of coin minted. In 1936 The U.S. Mint started assembling sets of every coin minted and selling them directly to collectors. Additionally, you could order these coins through the mail. As time progressed, the mint also started making commemorative coins. The Mint produced these coins in business strike and proof finishes. A variety of sets that combined different denominations of commemorative coins or different finishes were made available to collectors. Currently, you can order your proof coins directly from The United States Mint website.
Key Dates, Rarities, and Varieties
The following proof sets, in any condition, are worth considerable more than common proof sets. As such, these coins are frequently counterfeit or altered from common coins. Therefore, before you start celebrating your early retirement with your newfound fortune, have the coins authenticated by a reputable coin dealer or third-party grading service.
All proof sets dated 1936 - 1951. Be careful when purchasing these sets. They were not packaged like the modern-day Proof Sets that come in hard plastic cases. Many of these early proof sets were shipped in paper or cellophane envelopes. The acids in these materials may have reacted with the coins and they may be damaged. Make sure you open and inspect any early proof set before purchasing. 1971-S No S Jefferson 5-cent (the Jefferson nickel is missing the mintmark “S” on the obverse) 1981-S Clear S (all mintmarks on all coins have a very clear and flat mintmark) 1990-S No S Lincoln cent (the Lincoln penny is missing the mintmark “S” on the obverse below the date)
Modern U.S. Proof Set Coin Values
The buy price is what you can expect to pay to a dealer when you purchase the coin. The sell value is what you can anticipate a dealer will pay to you if you sell the coin. These are approximate retail prices and wholesale values. The actual offer you receive from a particular coin dealer will vary depending on the condition of the set and some other factors that determine its worth.
