What is a proof in coin collecting?
In numismatic terms, a proof is a coin or set struck for presentation or as a souvenir that is not intended for general circulation with other coins. The U.S. Mint has produced proof coins and sets since 1936.TypesMost proof sets contain several different coins struck in the same year. For example, the 2005 silver proof set contains a penny, nickel, dime, half dollar and dollar in a plastic holder. Sets minted from 1936 through 1972 all included the cent, nickel, dime, quarter and half dollar.FeaturesProof coins undergo a process that makes them more lustrous than other coins. The dies are made to perfection and are polished and cleaned after every 15 to 20 impressions to prevent imperfections.HistoryThe Philadelphia mint began producing proof sets in 1936. This continued until World War II in 1942. The sets were produced again from 1950 to the present.ValuesEarly proof sets can be valuable due to their rarity. Less than 4,000 copies of the 1936 set were minted and unopened sets can fe
