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.
Related Articles:
Goldberg Coins Joins WorthPoint
Goldberg Coins & Collectibles partners with WorthPoint, a social network and search engine for collectors
Collecting Coins: What Are The Types And Pricing?
Mints often come up with coins, medals and tokens that go on to become collector items. Commemorative coins are very common, like coins for the Olympics or some other historically significant event like the landing on the moon by Apollo. A collectible coin has to be examined by the dealer before it can be assigned a price tag. The first examination will place the coin in the category of either denomination or type.
Coin Magic
Coin magic is the universal phrase for illusions using one or more coins, which are maneuvered so as to trick and mystify the spectators. It is well received by nearly every audience and all ages, and it is highly esteemed by magicians.
Universal Coin & Bullion Helps Fill Blue Santa's Bag in Beaumont Texas
A truckload of toys from the Administrative Staff of Universal Coin & Bullion helped Blue Santa fill his toy list for 66 special children in Beaumont, Texas. Blue Santa is an annual tradition carried on by the Beaumont Police Force.
Coin Collecting Becomes More Popular as Gold Tops $1,000 an Ounce
As the price of gold skyrockets and the economy falls into a recession, more people are taking up the hobby of collecting coins. And all the while, sites like CoinPeople.com and OmniCoin.com are reaping the benefits.
Favorite Gold Coins To Collect For Investment
Why Gold American Eagle Coins are Popular among Collectors
Grade Your Coins
To the novice, it might seem like one coin is as good as the next. However, that?s just not the case. To determine value of coins of the same type, grading is performed. Basically, grading is the process that determines the condition?and the value?of the coin being looked at. The grade of a coin can wildly affect its value. Years past, Dr. William Shelby devised the 0-70 scale system for grading coins.
Walden University Public Health Alumna Awarded Commander's Coin
Air Force veteran Tanisha Harding was recognized for work completed during her field practicum at the Columbus (MS) Air Force Base.
Why You Need To Buy and Sell Gold Coins (Part 4)
Top Investment PerformanceThroughout history, many coin collections have produced substantial long-term profits for their owners. This is particularly true for coin collectors of this century.
Two Sides Of The California Mortgage Coin
Sunny California skies and beautiful homes - what a nice picture! But behind the idyllic scenery is a slew of houses in the thousands hard hit by the housing slump. You may be one of those losing their homes, or one of those who lost their jobs with California mortgage companies. So what gives? Is there still hope?
New Site Offers Links for Buying or Selling Gold and Collectible Coins
Coin collectors and speculators will find more than a dozen quality links to dealers, traders and supply companies at the new www.x-rarecoins.com. The site cuts through the search engine clutter to provide visitors a select group of retailers and other vendors who specialize in gold and silver bullion, currency, proof sets and platinum.
Six Key Financial Indicators Alert Investors to Buy Gold and Gold Coins
Lear Financial, Inc. points to six reasons gold and gold coins will again become the center of the global financial system
Love Goes In The Pocket: Great News For Romantics of All Ages -- New Pocket Heart Love Coin Enjoys Great Success As The Perfect Gift
The Great Ideas Group recently introduced their new 'Just About Love' Pocket Heart Love Coin to rave reviews by both male and female purchasers. Carried along in pocket, purse, tote, briefcase, backpack, the elegant Pocket Heart Love Coin gives the gift recipient a feeling of joy and comfort throughout the day, Every day.
Fantasy Site Predicts Super Bowl Coin Toss; Announces Unique Super Bowl Contest
Fans of Super Bowl contests have a beauty to play this year with great prizes and a no-fee entry with the ProperBowl.com Challenge. The competition puts fantasy football gurus to the task of predicting events in the big game from everything from the Super Bowl coin toss -- the NFC has won 10 in a row -- to the final margin of victory. Visit ProperBowl.com's for the Super Bowl of Super Bowl contests and a chance to win $2,500 in prizes including huge Plasma TVs and other football prizes like replica jerseys.
Historical Silver Dollar Value Trends Reveal Coins Destined for Bullish Futures
Analysis of U.S. Peace silver dollars (minted 1921-1935) indicate only a few dates of this artistically acclaimed coin series are good bets to enjoy strong price advancements in the future. This conclusion is based on proven performance over a period of many years.