Proof Sets
Click for Proof Set Pricing Guide and Mintage

United States proof coins are extraordinarily brilliant with sharp relief and a mirror-like surface. Their frosted, sculpted foregrounds give them a special "cameo" effect, created by the exacting proofing process. Proof blanks are specially treated, polished, and cleaned to ensure high-quality strikes. The blanks are then fed into presses fitted with hand-polished dies and struck at least twice to ensure a sharp, high relief. The coins are then packaged in presentation cases to showcase and maintain their exceptional finish.
From the very beginning of coin making, proof coins have represented the highest level of the craft. The term "proof" really refers to the manufacturing process by which the coin is made. The result of the process used by the United States Mint is a coin that is distinguished by a frosted cameo image and a brilliant mirror-like background. These coins are so beautiful that many people think of them as miniature works of art.
The term "Proof" refers to a method of manufacture which produces a superior quality coin. Proofs are struck on specially prepared planchets using highly polished dies. They are struck multiple times at low speed and are made expressly for collectors in Proof Sets. Modern Proof coins are easily identified by their mirror-like finish and frosted features.
The method for making a proof coin starts out as it does for any other coin: A United States Mint sculptor-engraver begins by sculpting a clay model of the coin design. Plaster is poured over the clay model, forming a negative plaster model. After the model is approved, a negative rubber mold is made and epoxy is poured into it to create an extremely durable model. The epoxy model is mounted on a machine called a transfer-engraver, which creates a “master hub.” Through a series of manufacturing processes, steel dies are then made. From this point on, the procedure differs from the process used to manufacture coins for general circulation. With proof coins the dies are given a special finish. A distinct feature of U.S. Mint proof coins is the two-tone surface consisting of a lightly frosted image against a shiny, mirror-like background. This effect is accomplished by a unique method of sandblasting and polishing different areas of the dies that are used to strike proof coins.
Proof coins are also famous for the raised detail of the image (known as relief). The raised detail is achieved by striking a highly burnished die, not once but at least two times, in a lower speed coin press. The coins are then packed in acrylic cases to showcase and preserve their exceptional finish. In contrast, coins manufactured for general circulation are struck only once using high-speed presses.