Hello Hello! So, I understand the basics of CAMEO (mirror like fields with frosted devices). But what exactly makes proof coins cameo, deep cameo, ultra cameo, etc.? Are most proofs coin at least cameo in grade? Why does one proof coin grade cameo and the other doesn't? Please explain in as much detail as you can, so I may better understand this subject. Thanks! Eric
Cameo coins came about when someone at the mint was too lazy to polish the dies, except for the fields. The director saw it and thought it would be a good gimmick and decided to start doing it most, if not all the time with proof dies. As more coins are struck with the die, the 'effect' of this goes away and the coin has a uniform mirror finish after awhile. So basically, the initial coins on any given die these days *should* have good cameo and the last coins, if they use the dies long enough, won't have much (Don't see it happening much these days, I'm betting they 'assist' the dies a bit more to create more cameos these days). Deep and Ultra Cameos (Two different designations from two different grading companies, both implying the same thing) is just a degree of contrast between the devices and the fields, and is subjective. Then again, I could be wrong about all of this, *shrug*... Douglas Thigpen
You are kidding right? No one can polish the incuse portions of the dies used in striking coins. This I agree with. Cameo appearance on proof coins have been around since the 1830's when the mint began using improved techniques for minting coins. The earliest strikes of the die will produce the ultra cameo, and with each strike the appearence weakens. All raised portions of a coin are incused in the die. As metal flows into the die creating a coin, these small lines fill with grease, metal, and polish leaving weaker strikes and therefore less cameo effect.
Awww, the wonders of trying to communicate emotions over the internet. Maybe you guys should use the little smilies over on the left.
The devices on coin dies used to be sandblasted to produce the cameo effect. Today it is done with a laser. And it's not just Proofs that are found with cameo. Take a look at a high grade Morgan dollar for an example.
