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#1
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What is a cameo finish?
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? |
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#2
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What is a cameo finish?
"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 |
#3
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What is a cameo finish?
Michael wrote:
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? http://www.pcgs.com/lingo.chtml?Letter=C |
#4
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What is a cameo finish?
AlexBivin wrote:
As Bruce has already mentioned, the CAM of DCAM/UCAM designations are usually found on proof coins. The only exception to this rule that I have thus far found, is in SMS coinage from 1965-67...... You are forgetting early Morgan dollars which can exhibit quite heavy cameo finishes. |
#5
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What is a cameo finish?
Phil DeMayo wrote: AlexBivin wrote: As Bruce has already mentioned, the CAM of DCAM/UCAM designations are usually found on proof coins. The only exception to this rule that I have thus far found, is in SMS coinage from 1965-67...... You are forgetting early Morgan dollars which can exhibit quite heavy cameo finishes. Ah yes, how could I forget! I am sure there are others I have overlooked as well. The Morgans in question are labeled as DMPL (deep mirror proof like), just for those new to collecting and not familiar with cameo contrast. Here is a question, as stated before, DCAM, CAM and DMPL aren't grades per say, so they can be applied to any coin that exhibits that particular propery (in theory). So has anyone ever seen other coins (other than Morgans) designated DMPL? |
#6
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What is a cameo finish?
"AlexBivin" wrote in message ups.com... Phil DeMayo wrote: AlexBivin wrote: As Bruce has already mentioned, the CAM of DCAM/UCAM designations are usually found on proof coins. The only exception to this rule that I have thus far found, is in SMS coinage from 1965-67...... You are forgetting early Morgan dollars which can exhibit quite heavy cameo finishes. Ah yes, how could I forget! I am sure there are others I have overlooked as well. The Morgans in question are labeled as DMPL (deep mirror proof like), just for those new to collecting and not familiar with cameo contrast. Here is a question, as stated before, DCAM, CAM and DMPL aren't grades per say, so they can be applied to any coin that exhibits that particular propery (in theory). So has anyone ever seen other coins (other than Morgans) designated DMPL? I've seen several Columbian Commemorative Half dollars designated PL and possessing a light cameo contrast. John Visit the RCCers favorite coins web page http://mysite.verizon.net/jcarney44/coins/rccers.html |
#7
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What is a cameo finish?
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 |
#8
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What is a cameo finish?
Thanks!! VERY helpful. One could say many Franklin Mint medals were
cameo because the contrast was there and the volumes were not large enough to cause any noticeable die wear. AlexBivin wrote: Michael wrote: 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? Hi Michael, As Bruce has already mentioned, the CAM of DCAM/UCAM designations are usually found on proof coins. The only exception to this rule that I have thus far found, is in SMS coinage from 1965-67. The description of a cameo is also well defined by Bruce as well. This effect comes about from the way the mint prepares the dies. When you look at a deep cameo (I will explain the difference between deep cameo and cameo in a bit) coin, you are looking at a coin exactly the way the engraver had imagined it. All raised portions of the die are etched, so that when they are struck, it leaves that frosty white appearence. However, as planchets are struck from that die the etching will fade, making the cameo receed a bit more with every strike until you are left with a completely brilliant coin. This is where the DCAM and CAM standards come in. As the die wears, the cameo is less pronounced, so a lower level of cameo is recognized by the grading services. I little long winded, but I hope it helps answer the question! Feel free to ask if anything is unclear! Alex |
#9
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What is a cameo finish?
Michael wrote:
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? Just to add a point: what has been said is correct for MODERN coins. Also, as noted many Morgan Dollars have cameo and deep cameo features. The Mint was forced to strike millions of these useless coins and they went through hundreds of dies. New dies under adequate pressure created the "cameo" appearance of a proof-like coin, though, of course, the coins were NOT proofs. Proofs -- by definition -- are created from multiple strikes with polished dies on specially prepared planchets. Proofs probably go back no farther than the late 1600s as rarities. As we would recognize them, they are identifiable from records of the early 1800s and forward. The "matte proof" finish of the early 20th century, invented in France, and briefly popular here, never has a cameo effect, by its very nature. (If you go to the ANA website, www.money.org, and click on the dropdown for Communications, you can select Numismatist, the monthly magazine. In the 2005 Archives, the May issue has a cover story that I wrote about Proof Double Eagles.) Mike M. |
#10
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What is a cameo finish?
"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 |
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