US Proof Sets Estate Sale Lot With Boxes US Coins Mints Different Sets 1970-1999

The United States Mint Proof Set, commonly known as the Proof Set in the United States, is a set of proof coins sold by the United States Mint.  The proof set is popular with coin collectors as it is an affordable way to collect examples of United States coinage in proof condition.

In 1936, the US Mint produced proof coinage for collectors for the first time since 1916, when the mint had shut down proof production due to lack of interest from collectors. Like previous proof coinage, the new coins could be bought individually, but unlike previous coins, they were also offered as a set.  Proof cents and nickels produced in early 1936 had a satin finish, which was unpopular with collectors as it closely resembled the standard circulation strike finish.  Therefore, later 1936 pennies and nickels featured the mirror-like ‘brilliant’ finish used on the other coins of the set.