Good Day. I have a question regarding terminology.
As it is described in your glossary, The SP (Specimen) Term used to indicate special coins struck at the Mint from 1792-1816 that display many characteristics of the later Proof coinage. Prior to 1817, the minting equipment and technology was limited, so these coins do not have the "watery" surfaces of later Proofs nor the evenness of strike of the close collar Proofs. PCGS designates these coins SP.
I found another explanation of the SP in another source:
The specimen is used to describe any coin produced to a particularly high standard of finish. Before 1970, most British proof coin sets were described and issued as specimen sets, despite the fact that they would now be called proofs.
In recent years
The Royal Mint has started to produce especially good versions of its uncirculated coins which it calls specimens. These are ordinary uncirculated coins which have been handled individually and with greater than normal care, to avoid most, but not all, of the surface blemishes which occur due to bulk handling.
As I understand this term can be defined like "better than usual business strike, but this is not a proof"
So the questions are:
What the difference between SP (specimen) and PL (prooflike), if both of these terms are better than usual strike, but not a proof?
What the difference between modern coins (not only
US coins) which has grades SP and PL?
How I can define my coin?
https://www.PCGS.com/cert/35794448
Posted 12/10/2019 11:51 am
