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Centennial Gold and Silver Coins
Open Monday - Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm
Friday and Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm
Call anytime - leave a message: 303-835-8892
Aharon's Jewish Books and Judaica
600 South Holly Street Suite 103
Denver, Colorado 80246
Proof coinage means special early
samples of a coin issue, historically made for
checking the dies and for archival purposes, but
nowadays often struck in greater numbers specially
for coin collectors (numismatists). Many countries
now issue them.
Production process
Preparation of a proof striking usually involved
polishing of the dies. They can usually be
distinguished from normal circulation coins by their
sharper rims and design, as well as much smoother
"fields" - the blank areas not part of the coin's
design.
The dies for making modern proof coins are often
treated with chemicals to make certain parts of the
design take on a frosted appearance, with the
polished fields taking on a mirror finish. Several
other methods have been used in the past to achieve
this effect, including sand blasting the dies, and
matte proofs. Proof coins of the early 1800s even
appear to be scratched, but it was part of the
production process.
Most proof coins are double struck. This does not
normally result in doubling that is readily
observable, but does result in the devices being
struck fully.
United States proof coins
The U.S. had largely stopped striking proof coins in
1916, although a few later specimens exist.
Beginning in 1936, the U.S. Mint began producing
proof sets. Sets struck from 1936–42 and, when
resumed, from 1950–72 include the cent, nickel,
dime, quarter, and half dollar. (From 1965 to 1967,
the production of proof sets was suspended and
Special Mint Sets were made in their place. They
were made at the San Francisco Assay Office but bore
no "S" mintmark.) From 1973 through 1981 the dollar
was also included, and also from 2000 on. Proof
Susan B. Anthony dollars were struck in 1999, but
they were sold separately and not included in the
proof sets in that year.
Other sets, called "Prestige Proof" sets, also
contain commemorative coins. These sets were sold
from 1983 to 1997 at an additional premium. As
Legacy Proof sets, the practice was resumed in 2005.
Beginning in 1999, proof sets also contain five
different Statehood Quarters. The 2004–05 series
also contain the two Lewis and Clark nickels.
Beginning in 2007, full proof sets include the four
Presidential dollars for that year; proof sets of
only Statehood Quarters and Presidential dollars are
also available.
Since 1992 the mint has struck proof sets in both
silver and base metal. U.S. commemorative and
bullion platinum, gold, and silver coins are also
often issued in both uncirculated and proof types,
sometimes with different Mint marks.
In most years since 1947 the U.S. mint has also
produced "mint sets", and because of the terms used
there is some confusion over the difference between
these and proof sets. These are uncirculated coins
that have been specially packaged, and (unless a
scarce coin is included) are generally neither as
expensive nor as valuable as proofs. Some U.S. mints
also sell annual "souvenir sets" from their
production runs and individual dealers have made
unofficial "year sets". The latter have no value
beyond their individual coins. Members of the public
should be careful to understand what products they
are being offered.
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