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Proof versus Regular Strike

Proof coins are specially struck for sale to collectors. They are struck on specially prepared and polished planchets, by new dies finished to a higher degree than circulation dies. They are also struck twice under higher pressure to bring up the design. Untouched by human hands the coins are then packaged for sale.
 
Homerun --

The difference is in the finish of the coin -- especially in the fields of the coin (the open areas where there is no design). Proofs were historically produced for collectors and that is still true today, plus a lot of investors now purchase them, as well. The mint uses highly polished dies for striking the planchets (blank disks) and often strike the coins multiple times so that the raised designs (also refered to as the "devices") are fully pressed into the dies for the highest possible relief and the most detail. Modern proofs have mirrored (highly reflective) fields and the raised designs have a "frosted" appearence.

Non-proof coins (a.k.a. "business strikes" because they're intended for commerce rather than for collecting) usually do not have as sharp of a raised design and the fields are not as mirror-like, although there are some coins which may be described as "proof-like" because they possess some of the proof qualities. Proof-like uncirculated coins are usually ones that have been stamped on dies that are still new (before the dies begin to wear and/or get dirty.

Older proof coins were almost always minted in quantities that were a very small percentage of the business strike quantities. In modern times, however, that is not always true--sometimes the amount of proofs issued is greater that the amount of non-proofs. Thus, older proofs are usually worth a lot more than non-proofs, but sometimes with modern proofs, the uncirculated business strike is more rare and worth more, and/or there are instances where modern proofs and non-proofs are worth the same.

Sometimes proofs are identified by where they were minted. Older U.S. proofs used to be minted at the Philadelphia mint only. Today, none are minted in Philly; instead the San Fransico and West Point mints are the only places that produce proofs.

The Red Book -- A Guide Book of United States Coins is a good source of info regarding proofs, their mintage numbers, etc.

Hope this helps.

- Harley-Dog
 
Thank you. This is very helpful.....

...but, how does one know if the coin they have is a proof or a regular...? In older coins I would assume it almost impossible to tell by just looking at the coin and by the condition of the coin....are there no special markings on proof coins..??
 
Assuming an older coin has NOT spent time underground and has NOT been in circulation, the coin's finish (surface appearance) is how you tell. The fields are mirrored and the raised portions are "frosted". If the coin is silver and was not stored in an air-tight container of some sort, it could be tarnished which will make identifying as a proof a little harder to do. The detail in the raised portions of a proof coin will be much, much sharper than what you would see in just an uncirculated business strike.

Probably the easiest way to understand the difference is to compare a proof with an uncirculated business strike. If there a reputable coin dealer in your area, or a coin show that you could attend, I would recommend that you do so and ask to see some examples of proofs and then compare them to their business strike counterparts.

Modern proofs are quite common and such a comparison should be relatively easy to do. Older proofs, however, can be rare and it may be difficult to encounter one. Another thing to remember is that proofs were never meant to circulate with 'regular' coinage; they were intended to be in a collection and to always be handled with the utmost care. It would be extremely rare to find a proof in circulation, especially an older proof and even more rare to dig one up, plus the fact that if it spent any time at all underground, it's once pristine surfaces would be diminished to something far less than how it started out. In other words, you might not be able to tell it ever was a proof.

-- Harley-Dog
 
There was a show recently on Discovery, HistoryChannel, (one of those) about the US Mint and the making of coins and money. Very interesting!!! They show proof ccoins being made, just like Harley stated. The difference when you compare them side by side is astounding! :shock:
 
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