Posted: 5/15/2011 3:57:08 PM EDT
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What is a "proof" coin and how to know / proove that it is silver?
Thanks! |
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Proof is a coin that was made with polished dies. The blank is polished and the dies are also polished, making the coin highly polished. The high relief is generally left unpolished so as to attain a two tone, frosted effect contrasting against a polished background. Depending on the mint, it may be encapsulated in a plastic
One does not prove a coin. Coins come from their mint as proof or uncirculated (not polished dies or blanks). Uncirculated coins once in circulation start getting worn and as a numismatic object, declines in value. |
| Proofs are a fancy minted coin. The emblem is frosted and the flat section is highly polished. Actually the die that is used to the stamp the coin is frosted and polished and not the same as regular coins. The proof coin is stamped multiple times to remove imperfections. Proof coins are uncirculated and come in a sealed container or set from the mint. They still get graded and even handling a proof or letting it bump up against other objects can lower the grade. I don't know if the metal content is different from regular minted coins. |
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Quoted:
What is a "proof" coin and how to know / proove that it is silver? A "proof" coin is supposed to be perfect... no defects at all. They're specially selected and handled. "Regular" coins can be "Brilliant Uncirculated", but might have very minor defects because they are not handled carefully. As for silver... if it's a pre-'65 dime, quarter, or $.50 piece, then it's silver. If it's something else, you probably have to trust where it came from. Proofs are usually enclosed or encased in some kind of plastic. |
| Proof doesn't necessarily mean silver. It's just a polished blank (planchet) struck on fresh dies (usually at least twice) to give it a clearer strike. They're the ones sold in the plastic slabs by the mint, whereas the uncirculated (business strike) coins come in plastic sleeves. |
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Quoted: What is a "proof" coin and how to know / proove that it is silver? Thanks! You can prove/assay a silver coin quickly, for common coins, using a scale and test gauge: http://www.fisch.co.za/home.htm Essentially, you're verifying both the volume of the coin and it's weight and comparing the density of the coin to the expected density of the silver alloy. For bars or odd coins, you can do the same thing with a graduated cylinder and small scale. |