Proof coins and sets
A Proof is a specimen striking of coinage for presentation, souvenir, exhibition, or numismatic process. Pre-1968 Proofs were made only at the Philadelphia Mint, except in a few rare instances in which presentation pieces were struck at branch mints. Current Proofs are made at San Francisco and West Point.
The term Proof refers to the method of manufacture not the condition of the coin. Regular production coins in Mint state have coruscating, frosty luster, soft details, and minor imperfections. A Proof coin can usually be distinguished by it sharpness of detail, high wire edge, and extremely brilliant, mirror like surface. All proofs are originally sold by the mint at a premium.
Very few Proof coins were made prior to 1856. Frosted Proofs were issued prior to 1936 and starting again in the late 1970s. These have a brilliant, mirror like field with contrasting dull or frosted design.
Matte Proofs have a granular "sandblasted" surface instead of the mirror finish. Matte Proof cents, nickels and gold coins were issued from 1936 to date. These have a uniformly brilliant, mirror like surface and sharp, high relief details.
"Proof-like" coins are occasionally seen. These are examples from dies that have been slightly polished, often inadvertently during the removal of lines, contact marks, or other marks in the fields. In other instances, such as with certain New Orleans gold coins of the 1850s, the dies were polished in the machine shop of the mint. They are not true Proofs, but may have most of the characteristics of a Proof coin and generally command a premium. Collectors should beware of coins that have been buffed to look like Proofs; magnification will reveal polishing lines and lack of detail.
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