Because silver and even copper nickel will tone if stored with some moisture. Proof sets are not airtight (usually) and air and moisture will get in there and will tone the coin. Toning unless spotty or completely black usually does not harm the coin's value and attractive toning will raise the value.
Certain years and certain country's proof sets are more likely to be seen in a toned state.
Don't try to clean the coins, it will irreparably damage the delicate proof surface and make the coins worth a lot less.
A group of coins is generally referred to as a collection, a set, or a pile of coins.
If you are holding this coin for collectable value, it is not a good idea to clean it. Most collectors and dealers will only offer a bullion value for cleaned coins regardless of its collector value. If you are set on cleaning it however, you could use a polishing rag, "nicabrush" silver cleaner, or in some cases I have heard that toothpaste works well. I would not recommend cleaning your coins though. Unless it is an uncleaned ancient coin, in which case there are many good sites on the net with good instruction.
Lemon juice, vinegar, and hot sauce diluted in water are effective alternatives for cleaning coins. These liquids contain acids that can help dissolve dirt and grime on the surface of coins without causing damage.
If it is a US dime, quarter or half dollar dated 1964 or earlier, it is silver. If it is a US half dollar dated 1965-1970 it is 40% silver, if it is a US nickel from 1942-1945 AND has a large mint-mark (either a P, D or S) over the Monticello it is 35% silver.There are some US proof coinage in modern years that are silver, but those should be in a protective mint case and should say US silver proof set.
Oh honey, it's not rocket science. The symbol for a heat proof mat in science is usually a little "H" inside a circle. It's like a warning sign for your experiments saying, "Don't you dare set me on fire, I'm flame-resistant, darling!"
The current value of a 1950 proof set is $750.
The set of 1971 Jamaica proof coins can be purchased online for anywhere from $28 to $117. There are seven coins in the set.
The 40% proof silver set was a 3 piece.
Coins in proof sets are generally worth a bit more than coins used in general circulation.
It's not a Proof set, no Proof coins were were struck in 1965-1967. The set is a "Special Mint Set" that has coins with semi-proof like surfaces with less design details. Issue price was $4.00 average retail value is $15.00.
There were proof sets made in 1974 and 1975 where all 8 of the coins were silver, and proof sets made during those years when none of them were silver. Assuming that your coins are in a set, check the 1 Cent coin - if it looks silver, then all the coins in the set are silver; if it looks bronze, then none of the coins in the set are silver.
The U.S. Mint did not issue a 1979 Silver Proof set. None of the coins contain any silver.
A mint set contains uncirculated coins from a specific mint in a specific year. Proof coins are specially made for collectors, minted with a higher quality finish, even mirror-like on some surfaces. Currently in the U.S., mint sets are available from Philadelphia and Denver, while proof coins are minted in San Francisco.
As of 07/2010 a proof set containing copper-nickel clad coins retails for about $13, while a Prestige set with silver coins sells for about $35.
It would depend upon which 4 coins are in the set.
The 1994-S Clad Proof set (5 coins) with all original packaging has a current retail value of $8.00. Issue price was $12.50.
1975 Proof sets are valued at $11.00.