Proofs from the 1936-1942 era - The absolute toughest period for Cameo coins.

I'm trying to put together a set of proof Jefferson nickels from the '36 to '42 era. Those are the toughest years to find cameo proofs in any denomination. The 1800s produced a much higher percentage of cameos.

In the '50s the Mint made some awesome deep cameo coins but the increased production could not continue to produce cameos. The first few strikes were deep cameo but the effect rapidly wore down and the demand to produce volume meant that most coins were brilliant.

It wasn't until the late '70s that technology caught up to production numbers. After '78 or so most proof coins were at least cameo.

I have been fortunate enough to have seen, in person, some of the very finest cameo coins from the '36-'42 era. The Walking Liberty Half below (photos by Bob Campbell) is owned by a friend. I have seen several cameo proof Walkers but none had any frost on the sun except for this one. Truly a magnificent coin!