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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,060 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
I noticed while looking though Krause that some/most of the older cents have very low proof numbers,, Are all or most of these accounted for in collections Etc?
What characteristics set the proofs apart from circulation coins ?
are they similar to US proof coins ?
Rick Edited by Metalman
02/20/2006 12:43 am
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Valued Member
Australia
444 Posts |
proof is a carefully struck coin using special dies with either a mirror like or matt finish with each individually polished planchet being struck at least twice
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
853 Posts |
most modern proofs have a mirror finish background and frosted image.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7123 Posts |
OK, I guess you guys probly thought that was a silly question,, I know the technical definition of a proof coin,,
But the two questions went together !! If all of the proofs for any given year are not accounted for, these coins could be impaired,the fields no longer showing the mirrored finish the devices no longer displaying the frosted details, but still be a proof issue,, what I was looking for was something that could be used to identify a proof coin that was not preserved in a pristine state.
Thanks for the replies.
Rick
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Pillar Of The Community
Turkey
1205 Posts |
I can't think of any method to understand if it was a proof once.
Since all the magic of proof-strikes is their surface quality, and the coin no longer has that quality... what can you do.
Unless they use a different alloy for proofs:)
Edited by RenaL
02/20/2006 3:55 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Renal
Im not sure about the aussie Issues, but many of the US Issues have a small attribute in lettering, or detail that can be used to Identify them as proofs, Even if the surfaces are impaired,,maybe something as simple as the size or placement of the designers initials, or the shape and spacing of the lettering .
Rick
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Moderator
 United States
23503 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by Metalman
Renal
Im not sure about the aussie Issues, but many of the US Issues have a small attribute in lettering, or detail that can be used to Identify them as proofs, Even if the surfaces are impaired,,maybe something as simple as the size or placement of the designers initials, or the shape and spacing of the lettering .
Rick
Rick Now you have me wondering. I thought that once the proofs were struck the same dies were used to make circulation coins. If this is the case, than, how can lettering or intitals be changed. If it is not the case than I guess that the proof dies are changed and new dies mounted to produce circulation coins. Any more information would be appreciated. Rich Edited by rggoodie
02/20/2006 4:47 pm
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Valued Member
Australia
444 Posts |
i personally have never found a prof coin in circulation but a few friends have and the difference is still noticable even though the proof coin has been circulated as the polished plachet is always noticeable in the field area of the coin
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
853 Posts |
I have come across a number of 1984 $1 proof in my time. I had the hot bread shop two doors down from my shop come in with a silver HMAS Sydney $1 proof that looked like it had a fair share of circulation.
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Moderator
Australia
16826 Posts |
Since you've put this in the "pre-decimal" forum, let's just clarify. Are you talking about decimal cents (small, bronze, post-1966) or pre-decimal pennies (large, bronze, pre-1966)? "Cent" and "penny" mean two completely different coins to Australians.
Pre-decimal proofs do indeed have very low mintages, and have what modern proof collectors consider disappointing surfaces: neither frosted devices nor mirrored fields. For that reason, they often don't command as high a price as their scarcity warrants. If a proof penny had been spent, it wouldn't take long for it to resemble any other penny in circulation.
IIRC the only way to tell a predecimal proof is the sharpness of strike. If in doubt, a technical comparison of the dies would probably also be in order.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
Rick is correct in the fact proof dies are as close to perfect as the Mint can get them. There are noticeable differences between proof coins and business strikes not to mention the fact that mint marks also tell a tale, especially here in the states!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Hi Sap Please forgive me if I'm not as clear as I should be, I am a brand new Aussie collector, and have been conditioned by US standards our coins are cents, What I'm talking about are the large pre decimal one penny coins,, Thanks for correcting me. I appreciate it , and the info,, RG Im not sure about the reuse of Proof dies to strike circulation coins, its possible that this may have happened when all of the proof coins were being struck at philly, but since San francisco has become the proof coin maker, the added S mint mark make the dies completely different. Probly the best example that comes readily to mind are the 1999 and 2000 one cent coins with the proof reverse or the Wide AM variety. and the 1999-S Close AM Reverse, this would be a proof coin with a circulation type reverse. Rick Edited by Metalman
02/22/2006 1:36 pm
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Moderator
Australia
16826 Posts |
I'm pretty sure that here in Oz the proof dies were never re-used for circulation issues. Of course, I say "never" with great reluctance.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,060 |
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Posted 02/20/2006 06:40 am
