1858 Proof Set

While a few Proof Coins had been produced by the Philadelphia Mint since the late 1810s, they were very limited in quantity and sold privately to a small cadre of dedicated collectors. In 1858, Mint Director James Snowden began publicly advertising the availability of Proof Coins, and regular quantity production began. It is estimated that between 200 and just over 300 copper and silver coins were made this year and regular production would continue for about 60 years, until their suspension around the time of WWI. As the first widely available Proof Set, the 1858 includes the Flying Eagle Cent, a three cent piece in Silver, Half Dime, Dime, Quarter, Half and Dollar.

Notes: This set has bonuses. Please see the Set Composition for a listing.