Share Your 1936 to 1942 Proof Coins

The U.S. mint started making proofs again in 1936 after having stopped in 1916. Why? The answer is given is Roger W. Burdette's comprehensive 2016 book United States Proof Coins, 1936-1942, another of his well-researched and written additions to our literature. This was a question that got me interested in these proofs and spurred me to collect the seven-coin series of Walking Liberty Half Dollars (shown below). The mint had spurned collectors' requests for proofs for 20 years so why restart production in the depths of the depression? The answer is that the Mint was arm-twisted into starting proofs again when Franklin D. Roosevelt granted a death-bed wish to his chief personal secretary and friend, Louis McHenry Howe. So we have Mr. Howe to thank even though he was not a coin or stamp collector. Mr. Howe unfortunately passed away shortly before the first proofs could be shown to him.

So share your proofs of this era as a tribute to Louis McHenry Howe.

 

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Wonderful set! I wish I owned one to share, maybe some day!

 

I know my Walker isnt a proof. Still on the hunt.

I think the penny got robbed and is full red.

I love that Mercury.

 

Yeah, the Proof Saints were alot of work for very little demand. One year they didn't even sell out the 500 they made.

 

Fantastic set of PR Walkers!! WOW!

I've yet to add a PR Walker or Mercury to my collection, though both of these are on my wish list

@bradgator2 - that's a really neat Mercury; almost looks like it's palladium

 

There's some nice material coming out of the cabinets. Larry, I like the Buffalo, wish I had one like it.

 

Haha I like how they printed the colors on the label.

 

Just have this one.

 

Just started this set so 1 down and 6 to go.
(not in hand yet)

I'm stuck at the moment on my saint set (1929) & walkers are my 2nd favorite type coin.

 

I sold my only example long ago, but it was spectacular.