19th Century Proofs

Interesting...when did they start becoming available to the public?

They started being minted for the public in 1858. You could write them a letter or visit the Mint in person.

After 1858 they wrote to the mint and asked for them and included payment of face value plus a few cents extra for the "proofing fee" A silver dollar cost $1.08, a half was I belive $.56 In the 1880's you could buy a "Minor proof set" that cost fifteen cents and contained the 1, 3, and five cent pieces. In 1883 it cost twenty-five cents but it had all three nickels. You could also just buy the nickels for 18 cents.

During the 1860's if you wanted a gold proof you had to buy the entire set for $43. They would not sell individual gold coins.

There are copies of letters in the mint archives from collectors writing in and ordering the various coins.