The Reality Of A Coin

In answer to Archraz's original post, I would say that
Proof coins based on circulation-issued coin designs have much more
'legitimacy' than NCLT issues that bear no resemblance to circulation
coins. This is not a knock on NCLT bullion, because bullion
coins have their own reason for existing.

We may still have the JFK Half-Dollaras an NIFC coin, but at least
it was a circulation issue design from 1964 to 2001.

When you have non-bullion NCLT that does not resemble any circulation
issue, that starts to get 'questionable'. The Australian coin
community in particular has many that would agree with that sentiment.

The very foundation of this pastime (coin collecting) is finding
collectible coins from circulation. The collector who assembles a set
of coins from circulation has a satisfaction in their diligence that
you could never achieve by simply buying a complete set of coins.

Right now in the U.S., the excitement about 2009 Coins is centered
around the 'elusive' business strike issues, not the Proofs.
Anyone can call 1-800-USA-MINT or go here and get a Proof Set.

But, if you find a 2009 business strike Coin in U.S. circulation,
you've made a real find! The joy of finding a rare coin from
circulation cannot be duplicated, and this is the 'great equalizer'
of coin collecting. A collector with lots of discretionary income
can buy what they want, but they can't buy the 'luck' of finding a
rare coin in circulation.

I feel an obligation to spend at least some of the 2009
Quarters and Dollars that I get from the Denver Mint. I like knowing
that there are at least a few Tyler Dollars and Guam/Samoa Quarters
that have entered circulation. If they get pulled from circulation,
at least it was by someone who's excited about their 'find'!

This is what makes America Great, It's people.

DNA- you are so right that the joy of finding a coin in circulation cannot be achieved by merely buying. I think that it calls into question whether proofs in a collection are really "collected" since they were just bought by someone rather than found in circulation or found by change in a dealer's stock.

dreamstones, those pictures are as clear as it should be in explaining business strike and proof strike.

I think you can oversimplify things by stating a coin that was not intended for circulation is not really a coin at all. Coins, after all, are designed by artists and sculptors. They are as much a miniature piece of art as they are a means for commerce. How collectible would a Morgan dollar be if there was no Liberty head or eagle? A completely utilitarian coin would also be a very boring coin.

In my mind a proof coin is the perfect representation of it's circulating counterpart. It shows how the coin should look when given the proper attention. The planchets are polished and rinsed to ensure optimum shine. The coins are struck more times than circulated versions and the dies are replaced more frequently to ensure a better strike. Small "errors" like die cracks, rim Cuds and misstrikes are rare.

As far a large, Crown-sized commemoratives are concerned, I definitely can see your point. I've always felt that these coins carry on a tradition that dates back over 100 years in the US. As long as they commemorate something legitimate, I have no problem with them. What really bothers me is how countries like Liberia will put just about anything on a coin just to sell it.

Archraz, your PM (email) option isn't turned on. You might want to turn it on.

Just my opinion, but if you can legally spend it (that is, it is legal tender) in the nation of origin (whether or not it would be financially wise to do so) then it is a coin.

Whether you choose to collect it is entirely up to you!