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Decorative packaging for proof set: Reserve Bank of New Zealand; Royal Mint1970 British proof set
Proof coinage refers to special early samples of a coin issue, historically made for checking the dies (as in demonstrating that something is true) and for archival purposes. Nowadays proofs are often struck in greater numbers specially for coin collectors (numismatists).[1] Nearly all countries have issued proof coinage.[2]
Preparation of a proof striking usually involved polishing of the dies. They can usually be distinguished from normal circulation coins by their sharper rims and design, as well as much smoother "fields" – the blank areas not part of the coin's design.
The dies for making modern proof coins are often treated with chemicals to make certain parts of the design take on a frosted appearance, with the polished fields taking on a mirror finish. Several other methods have been used in the past to achieve this effect, including sand blasting the dies, and matte proofs. Proof coins of the early 19th century even appear to be scratched, but it was part of the production process. The term "proof" refers to the process by which the coins are made and not to the condition of the coin. Certification agencies can grade and assign numerical ratings for proof coins. A PR70 coin is the highest grade possible for a proof coin and indicates a perfect example, with PR69 and lower grades reflecting some deficiency in the strike, centering, details, or other aspect of the coin.
Reverse of a 2010 1⁄10 Onza (ounce) silver proof Libertad coin of Mexico
Most proof coins are double struck under higher pressure. This does not normally result in doubling that is readily observable, but does result in the devices being struck fully, resulting in intricate elements of the original die being present on the proof that may not be present in such detail on circulation strikes. After being struck, they are separately and individually handled, in contrast to normal coins which are thrown into bins.
^George Greenlief Evans (1892). Illustrated History of the United States Mint: With Short Historical Sketches and Illustrations of the Branch Mints and Assay Offices, and a Complete Description of American Coinage ... G. G. Evans. pp. 178–.
^"Proof Coinage Catalog". Colnect. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
Proofcoinage refers to special early samples of a coin issue, historically made for checking the dies (as in demonstrating that something is true) and...
and silver proofcoinage, and produced circulating coinage until the 1970s. The West Point Mint produces bullion coinage (including proofs). Philadelphia...
The first coinage of the New Zealand pound was introduced in 1933 in response to large-scale smuggling of prior British imperial coinage after devaluation...
way to collect examples of United States coinage in proof condition. In 1936, the US Mint produced proofcoinage for collectors for the first time since...
press artwork for job verification Proofcoinage, coins once made as a test, but now specially struck for collectors Proof of concept, demonstration that...
added to all U.S. coinage except the cent. Until 1968, the Philadelphia Mint was responsible for nearly all official proofcoinage. Philadelphia is also...
Ancient Greek coinage and Achaemenid coinage, and further to Illyrian coinage. When Cyrus the Great (550–530 BC) came to power, coinage was unfamiliar...
The Coinage Act of 1792 (also known as the Mint Act; officially: An act establishing a mint, and regulating the Coins of the United States), passed by...
such as proofcoinage, are produced in smaller numbers, the circulation issue coins are sometimes more valuable in high grade than their proof counterparts...
in a more proof-like finish. These include using a higher force during coining, the use of fresh dies, and special cleaning. Proofcoinage Money portal...
in 1955, circulating coinage from San Francisco was suspended for 13 years. In 1968, this facility took over most proofcoinage production from the Philadelphia...
The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom, British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories is denominated in pennies and pounds...
underway on coinage dies; the use of the already-available designs allowed for the completion of the first dies on January 2, 1964. Only proof coins were...
portal Mint state Cleaning (coinage) Cameo (coinage) Coin collecting Paper currency grading Numismatics Exonumia Proofcoinage Troy weight (The system used...
coins struck are proofcoinage, with the exception of the WWF 1974 coinage which were issued in non-proof 50% silver, and proof and non-proof gold. 36,000...
(poor) to 70 (mint state), and setting aside a separate category for proofcoinage. This system is often shunned by coin experts in Europe and elsewhere...
the Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum publishing collections of Ancient Greek coinage. The first volume of Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles was published...
circulate, being mostly produced as bullion, commemorative, proofcoinage or other "collector coinage" sold by the US Mint to either authorized bullion wholesalers...
Certain parts of the mintage of almost each coin were minted using the proofcoinage technology. Money portal Numismatics portal Books Bruce, Colin R. II...
kits Exonumia History of coins Key date Mint-made errors Numismatics Proofcoinage Seigniorage Token coin Toning VAM (Morgan and Peace dollar die varieties)...
kits Exonumia History of coins Key date Mint-made errors Numismatics Proofcoinage Seigniorage Token coin Toning VAM (Morgan and Peace dollar die varieties)...
kits Exonumia History of coins Key date Mint-made errors Numismatics Proofcoinage Seigniorage Token coin Toning VAM (Morgan and Peace dollar die varieties)...
1994. There were only two coins struck. Both of them were issued in proofcoinage only. Bophuthatswana was the only Bantustan to have had their own coins...
Commemorative coins can be seen as being of one of three types: Regular issue coinage are the normal coins intended to be used in commerce every day and are...
coin cabinet. In 1903, many coins in the collection that had once been in proof condition were now partly covered in a white coating. An investigation found...
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