I've become intrigued by the thought of putting together a collection of non-circulating coins from circulation. This would include proofs or anyother coin that was not released for general circulation. In the last 6 months I've been searching halves and have found 2002P, 2002D, 2003D, 1976S, 2002S, and a 2002S 90%silver. I think thats so wierd. I think I'll just focus on halves, because I have NEVER found a proof of another denomination. Six down - how-many-hundred to go? Have any of you ever done this?
So far only coins I found in circulation that weren't inteded to circulate were a 1971 S and a 1989 S Kennedy half dollars. Both were mishandled proofs, found one from a 50 cent slot machine, and another in change from a Taco Bell, both in Biloxi, MS. Still pretty nice, lost a bit of the mirrored finish but still have very sharp details.
I would like to start doing this it might help me when i star detecting coins but first can some one prety please explain what proof etc means here at this topic http://www.cointalk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12805 Sorry if it seems like a demand for you to explain it to me its not a demand im just realy want to get intrested and no what to look for i would so so so greatfull cheers.
Well Proof is a method of manufacture, the coins are especially made for collectors by the mint. Telling a Proof from a business strike is normally easy for the Proofs have mirror like fields - you can see your reflection in them just like with a mirror. But if a Proof were lost and it got buried in the ground - that mirror finish would not last long. Then it would be a bit tougher to distinguish from a business strike. But if a Proof coin is spent and it enters into circulation, it's not that hard to recognize them. The mirrored fields get beat up some, but they are still there. And a Proof coin has sharper, more well defined features than a business strike. But it takes a bit of practice to see that right off.
