I noticed that my 2009 set and all the 2010 sets that i have seen have more of a frosted look to the design and wanted to know why that is?
It's the Mint's newer die preparation for proof coins to give a greater cameo effect, 'laser etched finish' or 'laser frosted proofs' are how some tend to refer to it. I personally dislike it as I feel it masks a lot of detail, shows defects easily and looks cheap and grainy (texture is too heavy). It actually started to appear around 2003 with certain special issue coins and medals. Here's a document from the Mint that discusses it: 2003 United States Mint Annual Report [PDF]
They use it on Proof AGBs. I am fearful of what the 2010 W proof AGE coming out next month will look like... and I really hope they resume issuing Proof ASEs but I'd really be disappointed to see this effect on ASEs. The recent commemoratives did indeed use the laser frosting: BSA and Vets have it on them.
Ken, I'm glad you chimed in. I was looking for examples of your recent modern silver commems to link to for the OP. I know you posted some pics somewhere but there were so many BSA threads I couldn't find your pics. Your images are good examples what with your new camera and macro capabilities. I thought it would be a good example... plus your other thread with the new 2010 Mint sets.
Luke there's something you need to understand that you are apparently unaware of. That being that Proofs have always had that frosted look. It's nothing new, they were designed to have that look since the 1800's. It's called cameo and cameo Proofs are considered to be of the highest quality. Now that's because prior to 1973 very few of the Proofs actually ended up having the cameo look. The mint was not as careful with Proofs prior to that date and they would use the dies until the cameo wore off and then keep right on using them. So most of the Proof coins prior to 1973 do not have the cameo or deep cameo. From '73 on the mint changed their habits and they made an effort to make sure that only cameo Proofs left the mint. Now the only thing that has changed regarding the cameo on Proofs is how the dies were prepared, the different methods used to achieve that look. They have been sandblasted, etched with acid and now they use a laser to get that look. But Proof dies, when made, have always had that frosted, cameo look. They were supposed to have it.
