"Michael" wrote in message
oups.com...
So essentially all proofs are cameos? A proof fits the description.
Or is it some rare phenomenon that happens to proof coins.


Bruce Remick wrote:
"Michael" wrote in message
ups.com...
Having never really collected certified coins, I would like to know
what is meant by the term cameo when used in the grading of both proof
and mint state coins?


If you can picture a piece of cameo jewelry, the portrait usually stands
out as
light-toned in contrast to its darker background. On a cameo coin, the
portrait
is typically matte-finished and frosty looking in contrast to its shiny,
polished background. This cameo feature is found most often on proof
struck
coins, especially those US proofs produced in the past 20 years or so.
"Cameo"
is not a grade, per se, but is an attractive feature that can increase
the value
of a coin.

Bruce


If the die used to strike a proof coin has the portrait area sandblasted
that results in a cameo, the portrait is frosted and the fields are mirror.
Billy