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Is there a difference between a proof cent and a cent that is found in a mint set.
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Yes... a proof cent is a cent that was specially produced die that was polished specially, planchette (or coin blank ) that was specially polished..... and from 1968 on was made at the San Francisco mint....
Mint sets are made at Philadelphia, and Denver handled specially so not to get nicks or hits... but are circulation quality coins...Identical to the cents you get at the bank... EXCEPT... 2005 to 2008 and 2010 which has mint sets with burnished blanks making them have a slightly satin finish... and 2009 with mint sets burnished AND the cents being 95% copper like the original composition...
Proof set coins have a mirror like field and frosted cameo devisesMember: Florida State representative for the ANA, Florida state representative for CONECA, F.U.N. and the Ocala Coin Club -
Thank you very much for the explanation. I was wondering why the 1960P proof DDO never showed up on mint set error lists. Now I know why.Comment
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They do smile differently for the camera.
Richard S. Cooper Some have asked about my images I use, and I'm glad to say I've completed a DVD of these. Ask if you are interested. Newer members like these.Comment
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All proof dies started out with this "cameo" from 1937 to date, but in different eras the process or treatment to put the cameo on the dies was modified a number of times are are known to have worn differently on the dies with different years.
Proof cents from 1937-1955 rarely show any cameo.
1955-1957 sometimes have decent cameo.
1958-1962 rarely have decent cameo.
1963-1964 sometimes have nice cameo.
1965-1967 (SMS years) rarely have any cameo - ever.
1968-1971 Probably 25% have full cameo.
1972-1975 cameo is rather scarce.
1976-date cameo (even very heavy frost) is common.
Also a point about cameo...
In order for a coin to grade "cameo" - every single part of every detail that is supposed to show a cameo MUST have it, and it MUST be on both sides of the coin. I have seen many coins that had nice cameo on one side or the other, and the opposite side was as smooth as glass. These coins will NOT be considered cameo, and should be valued as "rd" coins (red) with no cameo. The difference in value between "proof red" and "proof cameo" can be quite substantial for some years.Charles D. Daughtrey, NLG, Author, "Looking Through Lincoln Cents"
[URL="http://www.coppercoins.com/"]http://www.coppercoins.com[/URL]Comment
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The "modified" process involved (at different times) acid etching, sand blasting, laser etching, and other techniques to "frost" the devices, and were met with varying levels of success, thus the varying quantity and quality of 'cameo' on coins from different years.Charles D. Daughtrey, NLG, Author, "Looking Through Lincoln Cents"
[URL="http://www.coppercoins.com/"]http://www.coppercoins.com[/URL]Comment
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Defiantly not a shortage of people with good info here. Thanks for all the replies.Comment
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One key fact is that "proof" is not a grade.Is there a difference between a proof cent and a cent that is found in a mint set.
"Proof" is a method of manufacture.
You can find a circulated beat up proof coin and it's still a proof.
Sometimes the dies are different too.Comment
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