Early USA proofs

I could easily do the research, but I'm lazy tonight. I was looking at my want list for the Indians and noticed they had proofs going way back. When did proofs in the USA start? What coin set was it. Was this popular right way with the proofs and all. I would love to hear some talk about early proofs AND PICS

Show some pics of early proofs

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Earlier proof coins exist (made primarily as presentation pieces for dignitaries) but the Mint started making proof coins for sale to the general public in 1858. My earliest proof coin is an 1859 Seated Liberty Quarter (PF-61 if I remember correctly).

 

man, I would love to see a pic of that

 

Check the proof cents currently on ThePennyLady.com site. Good pics are a given. :thumb:

And proof cents on Rick Snow's site here: IndianCent.com/7-proofs

 

Proof coins have been around since in us coins since colonial times

 

The Smithsonian: National Museum of American History


The Proof 1828 Gold $5: <---Link to Smithsonian page for this coin.




National Numismatic Collection (NNC) of the Smithsonian Institution

 

The first year a US Mint coin considered to be a proof was made was 1817 The first proof SET was the diplomatic presentation sets made in 1834 for the King of Siam, the Muscat of Oman, Cochin-China, and Japan. These sets contained the 1804 dollars. Proof coins were not sold to the general public until 1858 and they were sold as individual coins. The story of the early proofs is complicated. At some times you could get them as individual coins, at some times, especially for the gold coins they were sold as sets only. Later they made minor proof sets that only had the one through five cent base metal coins. Something a lot of people don't realize is that the mint didn't finally give up selling the proof coins individually until 1950.

 

Also from The Smithsonian collection

The $1 1804 (Class One):

Read more on the story of this coin as it relates to Conder's mention at the link.

 

Great Proof's!!!!
good link too droll a pone :thumb:Krispy!!!

 

Here ya go. These are not the best photos. I will try to take some better photos another time. I am posting two photos of the obverse; the first obverse shows the frosting on the devices better.

PF-61 1859 Seated Liberty Quarter

 

Hobo - I bet that is a wonderful coin in hand. Could you describe the luster? I think your pics do not do that coin justice!

 

I agree!!! I have not seen word about that set in 10 year maybe more!

 

Heritage has a decent description and good images of each coin in the Complete 16 Coin 1868 Aluminum Proof Set

You'll need to sign-in to Heritage to see all of the images.

 

thanks Krispy

H.A. last time one coin 2007 January Fun show.Maybe the hole set was in CW late Dec 2006?? I knew I had not seen a listing for it in a while.

 

I can describe the luster without looking at the coin. It has no luster (or essentially no luster) because it is a Proof coin. Proof coins (except Matte Proof coins) have mirrored fields because the dies are highly polished. Because the dies are polished after striking only a few coins the dies do not develop flow lines and flow lines are what cause luster.

You're right, my photos don't do that coin justice. Next time I go to my safe deposit box I'll try to remember to pull it out and take some better photos.

 

Quite right you are! Thanks for that clarity.

 

Next time I have the coin out of the box I'll try to get some photos that show the frost better.

 

Very good question. To truly understand the answer, one must understand that the definition of a proof, and minting techniques thereof, have changed over the years. When we go back far enough in US history, the notion of a proof gets muddled a bit.

For instance - there are "proofs" so old they predate the construction of the US Mint building ! I'm talkin' about certain 1792 Half Dismes. They are often referred to as specimen strikes, as they don't fully measure up to modern standards.

There are also "proofs" of Draped Bust dollars of 1801, 1802, and 1803. Again, since they don't measure up to today's standards, they are sometimes referred to as "novodel" dollars.

By any name, they are magnificent coins. Unbelievable coins.

Yesterday, I was chatting with a major copperhead who bought Dan Holmes' 1793 Wreath Cent MS65 Prooflike. Is it a proof ? Maybe. Again, I choose not to split hairs on the definition. All I know is I spent about 10 minutes meditating over it. Again. I spent about 30 minutes gazing upon it last year, when Dan's coins were still in the Lot Viewing stage.

Hoochie Mama !!!