If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
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? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
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. AlexBivin described the cameo effect pretty well here, along with what causes it. All proofs are not cameos. Most pre-1980 US proof coins are not. All coins in recent US proof sets have been produced to intentionally incorporate the cameo feature, except for (IIRC) the proof silver and gold bullion coins. As has also been mentioned, some older BU circulation strikes can have a cameo appearance, and these are highly sought after by some collectors due to their scarcity. Morgan silver dollars come to mind here. If you'll check out some major auction catalogs, you'll often see a few choice coins from the 1800's that display a cameo effect. Bruce |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
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. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
What is a cameo finish?
Aren't Matte Proofs used all the time here? The UNC versions of all
Commems are essentially Matte Proofs. The UNC version of the 1986 Liberty Half Dollar was a true mint quality specimen. But the UNC versions of the recent Franklin Dollars are no doubt matte proofs. Mike Marotta 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? 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. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
What is a cameo finish?
Michael wrote:
Aren't Matte Proofs used all the time here? The UNC versions of all Commems are essentially Matte Proofs. No. By definition, a proof coin must be (MUST be) 1. struck multiple times. 2. from specially prepared dies 3. on specially prepared planchets. It is true that there are cases where proof dies were dragooned into business strike usage. However, it is generally true that the diagnostics for a proof coin have little to do with the frostiness, etc., and everything to do with the DIE diagnostics. Proof coins are struck from proof dies. Proof dies are (generally; most often; with exceptions) NOT the same dies as the ones used for business strikes. (Did you read the article I wrote on Proof Gold?) |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
What is a cameo finish?
The three requirments below would apply to the unc versions of modern
commems. I am under the impression that they prepare the dies the same then sand blast them with fine granuals to give them the matte finish. So technically it costs more to make the UNC versions that the proofs. The UNC Marines dollars is no doubt a matte proof. Now another possibility would be for the dies not to be prepared as well but say 90% as good then the flaws are covered by the sandblasting. Mike Marotta wrote: Michael wrote: Aren't Matte Proofs used all the time here? The UNC versions of all Commems are essentially Matte Proofs. No. By definition, a proof coin must be (MUST be) 1. struck multiple times. 2. from specially prepared dies 3. on specially prepared planchets. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FS: 1993 "Finish Line Racing" 150-Card Set | J.R. Sinclair | General | 0 | December 14th 04 06:23 AM |
FS: 1994 "Finish Line Racing" 150-Card Set | J.R. Sinclair | General | 0 | June 8th 04 06:08 AM |
E-bay - Regency Saphiret Drop Necklace Set, Etruscan Cinnabar Set, Victorian Engraved Bands, Large Scenic Cameo, Hardstone Cameo Locket, Darling Silver & Jade Peapod Necklace, Victorian Opal Ring, More! | Megan McGee's | General | 0 | March 17th 04 01:10 PM |
Large Scenic Cameo w/Cherub, Angelskin Coral, Deco Chrysophase Bracelet, Czech Lapis Glass Necklace, Best Hardstone Cameo Pearl Locket, More! | Megan McGee's | General | 0 | February 29th 04 10:32 PM |
1999D Nickel With Frosty Finish Question? | MIckey | Coins | 4 | July 23rd 03 05:37 PM |