What Is An Un-circulated Coin?You may have heard the terms proof coin and un-circulated coin, but what's the difference between these two? To understand the difference between a proof and un-circulated coin, let's first answer the question, "What is an un-circulated coin?" Un-circulated means a coin has not had any wear, such as the wear a coin might experience when it is used in commerce. Handling a coin, as well as improperly storing a coin, can result in wear on the surface of the coin. This wear, even if very minor, will cause a coin to no longer grade un-circulated. When coins are minted they often bump into each other and receive small nicks and abrasion marks during the production process. These marks also occur as coins are transported in large canvas bags. These marks, sometimes called "bag marks", are more noticeable on larger coins, such as half dollars and dollars. Typical "bag marks" do not keep a coin from grading un-circulated. However, they can be an indicator of how high of a grade the un-circulated coin might receive. Current accepted grading standards provide for a range of un-circulated grades, from the grade of MS-60 to MS-70. MS60 would be a lower grade (yet still) un-circulated coin with normal bag marks for that type of coin. Anything below MS-60 would not be considered un-circulated. MS70 would be the perfect "ideal" coin. Some coins are rare in grades MS65 to MS70, and even unheard of in MS70 grade. (The attribute "MS" stands for "mint state".) A newly minted proof coin is also un-circulated, however it is the way it is made that causes a difference in appearance and qualifies it as a "proof". To understand this, let's look at how coins are made. Coins are produced when two dies strike a blank piece of metal with tremendous force. One die is engraved with the front (obverse) design for the coin. The other die has the back (reverse) coin design on it. A proof coin is made with a specially polished and treated die! By treating the die in a special way, the coins it produces have a different appearance. Modern technology allows the high points on the coin design to be acid treated (on the die). The background (field) design of the coin die is polished, resulting in a mirror-like look on the coin it strikes. This gives the finished coin a frosted look (frosting) on the raise parts of the design, with a mirror like finish on the background. This contrasting finish is often called "cameo". On some older coins a cameo appearance is quite rare. The attribute "CAM", when added to a coin's description, means cameo appearance. "DCAM" means deep cameo, and indicates the cameo appearance is strong and easy to observe. Lana Hampton makes it easy to find the coin collecting information you want. Visit her site today for the latest coin information.
MORE RESOURCES updated Thu. April / 25 / 2024 The Benefits of Gentler Hobbies Next Avenue The nostalgic crafts that are making a comeback Yahoo Movies UK 6 Craft Hobbies Everyone's Talking About In 2024 Country Living UK New restaurant and new crafts store planned for Bradenton shopping center development Bradenton Herald Crafts retailer Joann files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as consumers cut back on pandemic-era hobbies The Macomb Daily Lancaster Countians win PA Farm Show ribbons for crafts, hobbies, plants, square dancing LNP | LancasterOnline Having a hobby tied to happiness and well-being Harvard Health Craft and hobby classes in St. Louis St. Louis Magazine Joann fabric and hobby stores enter bankruptcy; post-pandemic craft decline cited - The Mercury News One Tank Trips | AdhDiy Craft Cafe KSHB 41 Kansas City News 8 Craft Hobbies Set To Be Popular This Autumn And Winter Country Living UK The Latest Craze in Hobby Crafting: Becoming a 21st-Century Blacksmith The New York Times The 20 Most Relaxing Hobbies to Try This Year Country Living UK Joann craft retailer files for bankruptcy St. Louis Post-Dispatch 4 Craft Hobbies To Try Out This Summer | Best Summer Crafts 2023 Country Living UK The Alphabetical Guide To Craft Hobbies | A-Z List Of Crafts Country Living UK Hobby Supplies: How to Organize Your Hobby Room with ADHD ADDitude magazine Rug Tufting: An Old Craft That's New Again Next Avenue Best new hobby deals for 2024: Lego kits, DIY jewelry making, ClassPass subscriptions, and more Mashable Union Township man nets 34 ribbons at Bloom Fair; locals get 156 ribbons Shenandoah Sentinel Thurston County Fair: Last Call for Open Class Foods, Art, Hobbies and Crafts - ThurstonTalk ThurstonTalk 8 new hobbies to try in the St. Louis area Ladue News Second Saturday event at Factory attracts shoppers, crafts: in photos Columbia Daily Herald National Craft Month - March National Day Calendar Six Independent Craft Stores to Visit in Around Boston Boston magazine Meet Mike Larisey, owner of Maritime Hobbies & Crafts Ltd Downtown Halifax Looking to pick up a new hobby? Indigo Studio is here to help. inputfortwayne.com Craft fairs, Hobby Con in Williams Lake this weekend Williams Lake Tribune New Year New Skills: 31 Hobbies To Pick Up In 2024 Outlook India Cobblestone Crafts listed for sale after four decades for $679K HollandSentinel.com London Named UK's Craftiest City | The Most Creative Areas Country Living UK The Heritage Crafts On The Brink Of Extinction Country Living UK OPINION: A love letter to arts and crafts Indiana Daily Student The Best Craft for Each Zodiac Sign Best Life Katie McAllister has a multitude of hobbies that all correlate to crafts The Central Trend Bored at home? Now’s the perfect time to pick up a new hobby CNN Underscored West Virginia Hobbies & Crafts: A 25-year success story Huntington Herald Dispatch As It Turns Out, You Don't Actually Need to Be Good at Your Hobbies Apartment Therapy Leny Handy Crafts: How a hobby became a business Manila Bulletin Business Intel: Crossroads Hobbies and Crafts Roanoke Times Handicrafts and hobby store giant Milbby to open its first branch in the province on the Costa del Sol Surinenglish.com Best craft classes for adults in Los Angeles Los Angeles Times Endangered Crafts and the Destinations Keeping Them Alive (Published 2019) The New York Times Yo! Easter offers skills, sports and hobbies for everyone | City Of Wolverhampton Council Wolverhampton City Council Best craft kits for kids that could inspire a new hobby Evening Standard Hobbies and Crafts Theme Cruises Cruise Critic Hobby Lobby vs. Michaels: Which craft store is better? Business Insider 30 Best Hobbies for Women - Creative Activities to Fill Your Free Time Good Housekeeping The 16 biggest controversies in Hobby Lobby's five decade history Business Insider 20 Summer Hobbies You Can Start Today The Everygirl Lost trades: The industrial origins of crafts and hobbies National Science and Media Museum Druid City Makerspace offers room for people who create arts, crafts Tuscaloosa Magazine Crafts & Hobbies City of Aurora Arts and Crafts Are Experiencing Surge in Popularity Amid COVID-19 Smithsonian Magazine Nobel prizes most often go to researchers who defy specialization – winners are creative thinkers who synthesize ... The Conversation Indonesia After 40 years, Herb's Hobbies & Crafts closing The Intelligencer Hobby Lobby To Discontinue 40% Off Coupon Curtis Tucker Best creative hobbies you can do at home in lockdown Stylist Magazine Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or Joann: Which Is the Best Craft Store? Business Insider Tuft times: new craft hobby sparks craze among young Chinese South China Morning Post
|