The San Francisco Mint started minting Proof coins in 1968;  previously, Proof coins were made at the Philadelphia Mint. 

Each coin is struck multiple times under high pressure to bring out the three-dimensional designs and mirror-like background.

The coins are not available individually from the Mint but only in official U.S. Proof Sets. This collection includes one Proof Jefferson Nickel from each decade it was struck at the San Francisco Mint. All coins from San Francisco feature the coveted S mint mark.

There are five coins one from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The 1960s coin is dated 1968 or 1969 and is one of the first-ever Proof Nickels struck at the San Francisco Mint. The first Jefferson Nickel was minted in 1938 to honor Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the U.S. and an author of the Declaration of Independence. One side shows a portrait of Jefferson.