nks
Posted 03/30/2009 3:10 pm
It is not a matter of what is better because those grades refer to two completely different coins. A business strike coin(i.e. one meant for circulation and/or struck under normal conditions) can never have a proof grade and a proof coin can never have an MS grade. Proof is a particular type of coin minting style, it has nothing to do with grade- once a proof, always a proof regardless of whether it has wear or not. Once a business strike coin has been worn, it is no longer a mint state/uncirculated coin.
Proofs are struck with higher than normal pressure and are struck twice so they have squared off rims and a higher level of detail in addition to occasional minor design differences. The dies and planchets for striking proofs are polished before the coin is struck so the coin itself has a reflective mirrored finish.
Edit:
Both proof and business strike grading utilize the 1-70 numerical Sheldon scale but the grading criteria are different for the two minting processes
Proofs are struck with higher than normal pressure and are struck twice so they have squared off rims and a higher level of detail in addition to occasional minor design differences. The dies and planchets for striking proofs are polished before the coin is struck so the coin itself has a reflective mirrored finish.
Edit:
Both proof and business strike grading utilize the 1-70 numerical Sheldon scale but the grading criteria are different for the two minting processes
Edited by biokemist6
03/30/2009 3:41 pm
03/30/2009 3:41 pm
