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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,123 |
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Valued Member
United States
112 Posts |
I would like to know what is the advantage of buying proof coins. I am very interested in some of the new proof coins the US mint has put out. I have seen others post that they are not interested in proofs just the uncirculated coins. I was just wondering why? I know proofs are made for collectors so does that make them less desirable because of that?
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Valued Member
United States
98 Posts |
I would guess that proof coins are more expensive and there are so many available. I purchase Proof sets each year since 1968 and lately have been purchasing 4 additional sets that I give away at Christmas to my nephews. Hopefully, one of them will take an interest in coin collecting.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
Proof coins I feel are so much nicer looking and as you stated for collectors or collecting.
But is all come down to this it is whatever you like you collect.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
It's a value judgement, and that's all. Are Proofs pretty to you? Collect them. Proofs were the original "collector" coins; collecting circulated coinage is a relatively modern invention. I love the look of a Proof in-hand, but I collect business strike coins. Why? No real reason. I just like them better.
And that's the point. In what other hobby can you pursue a completely different direction than the collector next to you, and still have the wonderful rapport and shared experience of two lovers of the same thing?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2269 Posts |
 I couldn't have said it any better. Collecting proofs can be really enjoyable, I personally collect the silver proofs, Its just my preference. If you are collecting a particular series, maybe after you are done collecting the business coins, then you may want to continue with the proofs. Its entirely up to you. |
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
If your collection is for investment at all, consider this. I was asking myself the same question about proofs last year as the Buffalo gold coins came out. As the graded ones made their way to ebay, a pcgs 70 bullion could go as high as $1,100. The Buffalo proof on the other hand that pcgs graded 70 was always above $3,800 and more typically closer to $5,000.....this was in the first few months of release while they were still available from the mint. Ditto the State Quarters, any proofs graded 70 and ths sky is the limit for the asking price. The upside is remarkable for proofs. |
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Valued Member
United States
62 Posts |
Something I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you are interested in the art of coin design, or the design on a coin considered as a piece of art, then the proof coin displays that art at its best. My daughter is an artist - if she also decides to collect coins, then she will likely turn to proof coins because she would want to be able to see every little detail of the artist's work.
For myself, I am more interested in the history of the time and place where the coin was minted. I want it the coin to have "worked for a living" so to speak, by having changed hands a few times before it was set aside and preserved. So I am focused on coins that are lightly circulated but still in good condition. Proof coins are not very high on my list - though I do own one.
- Sam
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
I just purchased a Dansco album for Kennedy half's without the ports for proofs when I had proofs to put into it. So what I am going to do is fill the ports as labled, then add additional pages for proofs and begin to fill them. Proofs are a lot nicer looking coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
3831 Posts |
Proof coins are in general the best quality that you can get out from a die. If you can own a die, sure that WILL be the best but unfortunately mints RARELY sell coin dies for the most obvious reasons.
My partial coin collection http://www.omnicoin.com/collection/gxseriesMy numismatics articles and collection: http://www.gxseries.com/numis/numis_index.htmRegularly updated at least once a month. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7629 Posts |
Okay...Why buy proofs?
1. Mintage is FAR less than the regular issue for any given date and mint.
2. Proofs are a different issue than business strike coins. To have a set means to have the proofs.
3. In many instances the proofs gain far more value with time than the mint state coins.
4. In many cases proofs are the only way to own San Francisco minted coins.
5. Proofs often have a cameo appearance, enhancing the design. Mint state coins don't have this appearance.
6. Outside the odd circumstance of someone spending a proof set, you'll never find a proof in change.
I could go on, but there's little reason to. Proof coins justify themselves.
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Rest in Peace
United States
3730 Posts |
A matter of personal preference.
We just bought my wife's sister a "birthday set" for the year she was born, which was 1959. We looked at circulated 1959 coins, a 1959 mint set, and a 1959 proof set. The proof set was beautiful and it only took a split second to decide on the proof set for the birthday present.
The proof set is now in an attractive plastic holder, and I have no doubt the sister will love it.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1360 Posts |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,123 |
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Posted 03/19/2007 7:14 pm
