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 Replies: 13 / Views: 3,746 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2408 Posts |
 The RCM needs to tune the frosting down, way down. Edited by canadian_coins
02/05/2011 8:53 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
wow - fantastic comparisons.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
canadian_coins: You have illustrated what I DON'T like about frosted proof coins from the Royal Australian Mint. To produce frosting, the die is sandblasted, the fields are mirror polished after that. If you like frosting, that is OK, but the RAM uses blasting sand that is way too coarse and some of the fine detail is obliterated. The Brits. at The Royal Mint do better than the RAM in this regard. In my humble opinion, that is exactly what you DON'T need with a proof coin, where all of the detail of the die needs to be shown. After all, it IS a proof coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2408 Posts |
Even 50-year old proof-likes have more details.  |
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Valued Member
423 Posts |
Interesting post C_C. I think the pictures tell all.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2408 Posts |
The frost is getting so bad, coins look like NASA images from outer space.  |
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Valued Member
Canada
442 Posts |
Thats definitely an interesting comparison! Does anyone suppose there is a reason for this? Style trend perhaps?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
693 Posts |
Traditionally, frosting was added by pickling the die in an acid solution, then buffing-out the fields. This technique leaves just a fraction of the die's surface frosted. The frosting wears off the die quickly when it's in use.
Dies are now laser-etched - according to Canadian Coin News. The laser etching probably goes quite a bit deeper than the tradiational acid method. It would last on the die much longer without having to be re-worked. Looks like there's a trade-off though, with a loss in the detail.
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Valued Member
423 Posts |
Good post Scissel. The laser etching may be cheaper or last longer, but the end product does suffer (as shown by C_C). I prefer quality and detail. I don't think most people will even care or notice though. Hopefully the RCM goes back to quality over a purely bottom line method. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2408 Posts |
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Valued Member
423 Posts |
C_C: That is good proof you are providing to back up your criticism. You should email the RCM with the pictures and let them know. Maybe the laser needs to be dialed down or something else is going on that the RCM isn't aware of. If the RCM ignores you or says it is cheaper or makes some other excuse then that to me is clear proof the RCM quality is going down. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2408 Posts |
Thanks penny, I hope the Mint reads this forum. My guess is they do... Part III is here - with some suggestions. https://goccf.com/t/81117 |
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Valued Member
423 Posts |
C_C: This forum probably doesn't hold much weight to the RCM. I doubt they search the internet for problems. You should actually email them with the pictures and explain the issue you are seeing. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2408 Posts |
Penny, see my follow-up on part III, and thanks for your advice.
BTW, I have a feeling the Mint is very much aware of this forum and its evolution. Though it is not a Canadian site, it does offer substantial exposure and as a business, they have to consider that.
Keep up the good work.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 3,746 |
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Posted 02/05/2011 9:16 pm
