For coin collectors, there has always been a certain appeal to the proof set. When deciding to be a proof set collector, one should always consider the state of the collectible coin market as a whole. The proof set value has always been a great indicator of the numismatic hobby, altogether. When the proof set has an increasing value, so will the rest of the collectibles coins within the hobby. If the proof set is declining in value, so too are the rest of the collectible coins. Using this as a guide, most modern proof sets are inexpensive enough for just about anybody to get into a serious collection of these coins without breaking the bank. If their value goes down, there won’t be much money lost.
A proof set is a set of coins made each year by the United States and other governments showcasing their type coins. A proof set usually comes with every denomination coin minted in that year. A proof coin is a coin made with highly polished dies which creates a mirror effect in the field of a coin while leaving a nice satin finish on any raised portion of the coin. The first official proof set made by the United States came in 1858. These coins were kept together but were not packaged together. A proof set of this age is quite valuable and very hard to come by as they have been pieced out by collectors over the many decades since their release. The first modern American proof set was minted in 1936 and came in a nondescript brown box.
This proof set is also very valuable and the subsequent years up until World War II produced proof sets that can carry quite a premium as well. After a short six year hiatus of minting a proof set of any kind, the United States returned to minting the proof set with the release of the 1950 proof set. The years of 1965 to 1967 also didn’t see the release of a proof set of any kind. These were the last years the United States did not release a proof set.
The proof set of the 21st century is loaded with several coins as the mints have ramped up production of differently designed coins and variations within each year. For example, the 2009 proof set come with 18 different coins representing all the variations of 100 year anniversary Lincoln cents, presidential dollars and state quarters as well as the regular release coins of that year. If you are in the market to buy or sell any proof set, just come in to Nevada Coin & Jewelry and let our highly trained associates help you today. There is no appointment necessary and no collection containing any proof set is too big or too small for our coin professionals to evaluate.
