What Is a Proof Coin?

History

• Coin minters have been experimenting with creating brilliant coins with special dies--the stamp that imparts the image on the surface of the coin--for several hundred years. The mints, both government and privately run, wanted to create the most stunning possible product and the lustrous coins that the mints produced became known as proof coins. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the numismatic term proof comes originated in 1762, from the word prove. So proof originally applied to the trial and error required in perfecting the process of creating these coins. The United States began minting proof sets specifically for collectors in the 1850s and as the popularity of these coins increased, the mint began producing more of them. Several other countries' mints also make proof coins.

Appearance

• Proof coins have a reflective surface that immediately differentiate them from other coins. A proof coin is carefully created so that the images and words on the coin are particularly distinct. Modern proof coins are always sealed in some type of container (usually plastic) in order to preserve their beautiful appearance.

Production

• The basic process for creating proof coins is the same as for creating regular coins, except that the minters take special care to create the best possible coin. Only the best dies are used to mint proofs, and these are cleaned, polished and replaced quite often. The blanks--which are the circular piece of metal that eventually becomes the coin--are specially polished and cleaned before being double-struck (literally struck twice by the die) to produce the perfect image seen on proof coins. Each proof coin is specially inspected, never touched by human hands, and is finally sealed in an air-tight container.

Value

• Proof coins and proof coin sets are virtually always the most valuable form of a specific coin or coin set. Proof coins from the 19th century are some of the most valuable coins ever minted. Modern proof coins are sold directly from the mint and they generally grow in value very quickly, sometimes doubling in value within 10 years.

Warning

• Never remove a proof coin from its protective casing. Air can damage the surface of a proof coin. If your coin comes out of its protective case by accident, do not touch it with your bare hands. The oils on your hands will permanently damage the coin. Carefully pick up the coin by the edges with a non-linen cloth and place it back in its casing. Seal the casing as best you can. A coin dealer may be able to reseal the coin for you for a small fee. The value of a proof coin will decrease once it has been removed from its casing.