I have one problem during analysis proof coin. The reflection from face and texts can be seen beyond inside surface of the coin. (Proof coins are much similar to a mirror in real life) It's kind of distract for me able to see the surface more clearly for a grade. How can I solve that problem and what's best angle to view proof coin's surface without distract? (Magnify doesn't help, too.) Any tips?
Are you looking at the coin through plastic? If so, you can get reflections off the plastic. Take the coin out of the holder and look at the coin raw.
People can slap my head and say, "Duh". However, it's not case. It's IKE proof coins that I took out from proof sets for my album. I notice different coins from these sets with deep cameo having difficult to see surface clear. Maybe I need more light or different angle to see the surface more clearly?
If I understand correctly you think you're having a problem because of the mirror surfaces on modern Proofs. But that is exactly what makes it so easy to see imperfections and flaws on a Proof because any little contact mark, hairline, or whatever just jumps out at you like a guy in front of you waving a red flag. A blemish on a Proof that is no bigger than the period in this sentence readily shows up to the naked eye specifically because of the mirrored surfaces and cameo devices. First of all I would never, or very rarely, examine a Proof outside of a holder. It is just too easy to leave behind a mark or a blemish. But when you are examining the coin it is not hard to overcome the reflection issue. All you need to do is tilt the coin and change the angle and there is no reflection. It's like it is with any coin, you tilt, twist, and turn it under a light while you look at it. About the hardest thing there is to see on a Proof are very, very fine hairlines. But when the coin is tilted just so under a light, even those stand out. Just make sure that you incandescent light bulbs when doing it. Other forms of light, even natural light, tends to make imperfections much harder to see. edit - One other thing, when you are grading a Proof always keep in mind that you do not grade them like you do business strikes. Flaws and imperfections on a Proof have a much greater negative impact than similar flaws and imperfections on a business strike.
I agree with Doug 100%, and as he said, there is risk involved when removing a proof from its holder. Chris
Doug: i appreciated your details for grading proof coins. Are you saying that it's doable to see a proof coin in a holder? It's just a matter of light and tilt? cpm9ball: Yes, especially with 1973-1978 proof holder. It's very hard to crack it out. Too many little pieces of plastic shoot out. Sometime the plastic wasn't fully broke off and still hold the coin. I did expressed my frustrate when I cracked these holders.
I have heard of grading "proof-like" Morgans with the text - distance - reflection method. I thought grading proofs was simply looking for contact marks, eye appeal, cameo quality issues and what ever other criteria is used in grading proof coins.
