The Beauty of Gold and Silver: 2023 US Mint Proof set

If you’re an avid coin collector, odds are you have at least a few US Mint Proof coins in your collection. The US Mint Proof Set is the perfect starter set for a new collector. After all, proof coins are designed to be perfect, aesthetic and relatively rare.

A Proof Set is a “complete set of proof coins of each denomination made in a year”. Many serious collectors get the U.S. proof set every year, to ensure they never miss out on these collector’s pieces.

So what are proof coin sets, what is the United States Mint Proof Set, and why should you collect them? Let’s discuss this.

What are proof coin sets?

Proof coins are intended to be collected, not circulated. A special manufacturing process is used to give these coins their sharp relief, mirror-like backgrounds and sculpted foregrounds. This process is known as “proof”. Burnished coin blanks are fed manually into the presses to create the sharp contrast. Inside the press, each coin is struck with slow, heavy pressure multiple times. This gives the illusion that the images are floating above the field.

When the Mint makes proof coins, they are struck with the intention to be used for numismatic collectors alone. That includes coins for presentation, exhibition or souvenirs. They aren’t meant to be circulated. Thanks to their mirror-like backgrounds and frosted foregrounds, they give off a cameo effect.

The US Mint Proof Set 2023 includes the following proof coins:

1. Native American one dollar coin
2. Kennedy half dollar coin
3. Roosevelt dime
4. Jefferson nickel
5. Lincoln Penny
6. American Women Quarters Program

The Silver Proof Set comprises the same set of coins, struck in silver, while the Gold Proof Coins includes:

1. One-ounce Gold Eagle
2. Half-ounce Gold Eagle
3. Quarter-ounce Gold Eagle
4. Tenth-ounce Gold Eagle
5. One-ounce Gold Buffalo
6. One-ounce Gold Liberty High Relief

What do they look like?

Since 1968, the proof coins have borne mint marks. The San Francisco Mint has produced almost all the proof coins. (Some special edition proof coins were struck in the Philadelphia and West Point Mints.) A few rare error coins exist without the mint mark. However, almost all proof coins minted after 1968 bear the S mint mark. Since 1975, the priority of the San Francisco Mint has been on collectible coins alone. The coin proof set is its main product.

Native American one dollar coin

Since 2000, the Sacagawea dollar (also known as the Native American one dollar coin) has been part of the proof coin sets for sale. It bears an image of Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean-Baptiste, on the obverse.

Various prominent Native Americans have been honored on the reverse. The 2023 Native American one dollar coin took the theme off American Indians in Ballet. The coin recognizes Maria Tallchief of the Osage Nation, considered America’s first major prima ballerina. Four other internationally recognized Native American ballerinas are honored alongside Maria.

Kennedy half dollar

This fifty-cent coin was first minted in 1964. It was initially intended as a short-term memorial to the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. The coin was authorized by Congress within a month of his assassination, based on existing approved work. It was released in March 1964, but the 90% silver coins were hoarded by collectors, investors and those looking for a memento of the late President. Today, the coin is minted in 90% silver for the US Mint Silver Proof Set alone.

Production of Kennedy half dollars for circulation ended in 2001 and restarted in 2021. Demand from collectors ensured that proof coins were produced without a break.

The obverse shows a profile bust of President John F. Kennedy, modified from the approved Kennedy Medal design. The reverse bears a modified Presidential Seal.

Roosevelt dime

The Roosevelt dime has been struck without break since 1946, shortly after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death in 1945. Since the ten-cent coin could be changed quickly without Congressional action, the Mercury dime was replaced by the Roosevelt dime. These were initially silver coins, but since 1965, it has been struck in base metal. The design has remained essentially unaltered in that period.

Though it is a valued part of the US coin proof sets, the dime is less sought after by numismatists as it is a relatively common coin. The obverse of the dime showcases a natural depiction of President Roosevelt.

The reverse shows a torch, flanked by oak and olive sprigs to symbolize strength and peace. These represent the victorious end of World War II. The reverse also bears the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Jefferson nickel

In 1938, the Jefferson nickel (featuring third US President, Thomas Jefferson) replaced the Buffalo nickel. While profiles of the President were used until 2005, Jefferson has been facing forward since 2006.

The reverse still bears the original design, created in 1938: a drawing of Jefferson’s house, Monticello.

From 2004-2006, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the nickel saw new designs as part of the Westward Journey nickel series. However, by the American 5-Cent Coin Design Continuity Act of 2003, all five-cent coins thereafter would feature Jefferson and Monticello.

Lincoln penny

The penny has been in circulation almost since the creation of the US Mint in 1792. The Lincoln penny was launched in 1909, featuring the profile of 16th US President, Abraham Lincoln. The same portrait has been in continuous use on the obverse of the penny.

On the reverse, several different designs have been struck. In 2010, a new design for the reverse was unveiled: the Union Shield with thirteen stripes to show the unity of the states. The same design has been in use ever since.

American Women Quarters

Each year, the American Women Quarters program honors five great American women. This year, the set of five special quarters recognizes the achievements of:

Bessie Coleman: The first woman pilot of African American and Native American origin

Edith Kanaka'ole: Expert hula trainer, champion of cultural and environmental rights

Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady, human rights activist and author

Jovita Idar: Activist and educator

Maria Tallchief: First Native American ballerina

The Proof Set coins include all five of the 2023 American Women Quarters, with high-quality proof finishes. The Set is minted at the San Francisco Mint, with an S mint mark. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

All the coins in this series come with a common obverse design. The profile of George Washington, originally designed by Laura Gardin Fraser in 1931-32, adorns the back of each coin.

What’s their historical significance?

Since 1936, the United States has been minting proof sets, especially for collectors. This is based on the special manufacturing process used to make these collectible coins. Proof sets today are packaged in a protective lens. This maintains their brilliant finish, and showcases them at the same time.

The proof sets are a snapshot of history. They honor the greatest American historical figures and are intended to be preserved for posterity. For that reason, these beautifully packaged sets are ideal for collectors. With their certification of authenticity, they are also suitable as a gift to coin collectors.

What’s the difference between Proof Coins and Uncirculated Coins?

Like uncirculated coins, proof set coins are not intended for public circulation. However, that’s where the similarities end.

Why should you collect proof coins?

Since proof set coins are some of the rarest US Mint coins available, they are highly collectible coins. Another advantage is that their presentation is superior and with fewer errors. The shine and relief of the coins, their craftsmanship and attention to detail, make proof coins stand out.

Many collectors prefer proof coins over uncirculated coins, because of their long-term collectibility potential. As proof coins are rarer, and held to a higher standard of quality control, they are more likely to hold value and grow. The rarity and precision of the 2023 proof set coins make them a great collector’s set.

Whether you’re a serious coin collector or a hobbyist, the US Mint Proof Sets could be a good choice for you. These lustrous, unflawed sets of historically significant coins are rarer and held to a higher standard. CLICK HERE to check out our proof coins and start your collecting today!