Which Production Type Do You Prefer To Collect - Proofs Or Business Strikes?

My guess Proofs will be beaten. B12

 

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Just bumping this up. B12

 

I don't have a preference. I'll buy whatever seems like the greatest bargain at the time.

 

I collect Barber series and Mercury Dimes and the Proofs would be very expensive.

 

I greatly prefer circulation coin - they are, in every sense, "real" money. Besides, except for very recent years, Japanese proofs are way out of my financial league.

 

I like buisness strikes for the fact that it represents the mints final product as distributed. But that still does not prevent me from picking up a nice proof at the right price if I come across one.

 

I like them both. However, right now I'm more focused on proofs like this one:

 

Nice Leadfoot!You've always had some beautiful toner's. B12

 

Well,"I Prefer Both" is winning.Interesting....that's why I did it of course to find out the statistics of coin collectors.Thanks everyone for giving your preferences. B12

 

When I can afford them I go for proofs but otherwise anything will do LOL

De Orc

 

On commemoratives, I tend to prefer proofs. But for regular issue coins, I prefer the business strikes because they are representative of how the coin was intended to circulate. Though I do like annual proof sets too, am trying to keep up with one a year since I got active in coin collecting again. Currently have 1972, 2000, and 2005. I prefer the clad sets over the silver sets, btw... silver proof sets seem too artificial to me, made purely for purposes of collecting (though I know clad sets are too, but they are proof examples of coins that could have circulated, made from the same materials and the same way, except for being proofs).

 

I usually collect by series, so if it requires buying a proof that is what I hunt for. If this series also has circulated coins, then they become part of my search and when collected they become one set. That is just the way I've always done it, not that that is any better than any other procedure. To each his own.

 

I like modern proof sets. The only pre-1955 proofs I'll probably ever buy are 2¢ and nickel 3¢ pieces to complete my collection.

 

I Agree, Leadfoot Is Right About The Type Proof Coins.awesome Leadfoot !

 

I stick with business 90% of the time. There are some coins (Lincoln wheats) that just look great as proofs. Picked up two today at $1 each.

 

Business strikes all the way, but as i only collect medieval and ancient that might not be so surprising.

 

Proofs are the best in my opinion for one reason. When you take out a proof and show it to anyone other than a true coin collector, their eyes bug out and they go WOW! Show them a BU and they are like "oh shiny". My kids and relatives are truly excited when they receive a Proof Silver Eagle or Proof set for Christmas. Sgklee

 

I perfer proofs. Proofs are minted for the collector (that's me). They are made from polished dies and planchets and are struck "at least twice" to give the best relief.
My goal is to collect 1936-1964. I have 1954-1964 already and now it's time to start saving big time to collect the rest. Maybe by the time I retire or win the lottery.
Modern or clad proofs are nice but I really have a thing for the silvers, I guess because silver is no longer a part of the business monitary exchange.

 

I collect both. I have all the proof sets from 1950 to date. Some series to complete the set youu need the proff coins. Like te Kennedy half dollars or the SBA. My older halfs collectin is all coins that were in circulation at one time and with those I try to find the best gread of coin I can afford. Coin collecting is a never ending search. I think thats the most fun part about it its looking for that special coin.
Halfs14

 

I like Proofs, but most are out of my league, so Business Strikes i collect mostly.