I recently found two proofs in some customer-rolled halves. This may sound naive but... how do you grade these? i.e. MS-60 Proof? or to exaggerate the point... maybe EF40 Proof?
Sorry for the poor quality pics...my 1st time trying to photograph coins by hand. Obviously need a tripod to make it less "shaky"...but anyway...you can see they have some good size scratches. yes, scratches not die issues or whatever. What grade would you do?
Proof is the method of manufacture a proof coin will always be a proof , so like the others said whatever the wear is preceeded by PF , such as PF-55 , PF-60 and up or down as the case may be .
I LOVE proofs. Proof halves and dimes out of circulation so far are the only thing I've really started "albums" for. The pristine ones make my heart flutter, but I keep the badly worn ones too. Maybe I'll find nicer ones or perhaps purchase to upgrade. It's something about being able to see the sharp and crisp design elements and the mirror like field...sometimes it almost looks like waves of water - just gorgeous. I guess it also makes me take a step back and ponder about the road each coin traveled to end up in my little wallet. The thought that someone might not have understood the story of what went into making it special and having a bit of extra value...what caused that coin to be spent for actual FACE? Fascinating, indeed.
Yes, "impaired proof" is a common and accepted term for circulated proof coinage. Personally, I prefer to reserve that term for proof coins that have had some type of other post-mint damage aside from simple circulation. However, the broader hobby-industry does not make the same distinction in definition that I attempt to use.
I bought a 1964 Kennedy DDO FS-101 that had some scratches in the field and some roll wear on the cheek. PCGS Graded it PR58.
I just got this 1977 proof dime today out of a Coke machine. Never found a circulated proof coin before! I guess it will never be worth much. If it were, I would throw a bunch of proof coins onto the sidewalk and walk all over them and then sell them. I don't think that is going to happen. Still fun to find one.
