i just got the proof coin. I am let down on the quality of the edge lettering. It's poor quality and just looks bad. The edge work on coins from a century ago looks much better.
The capsule seriously distorts the coin's edge: It's easy to open the capsule -- just carefully pry it open. Then you can fairly assess the quality of the raw coin. Your edge inscription should look more like this: http://www.coinnews.net/2016/09/16/...w-proof-american-silver-eagle/comment-page-1/ Of course, be careful handling the raw coin. Finger oils can damage the coin. Maybe atmospheric contaminants (moisture, smog). And there's the risk of dropping it.
Here a couple of shots of mine. One of the I should have dusted it off before putting it into the reflector. The other I held to image then it went into my dansco.
While they could have spent more effort decorating the edge, it looks better than the edge lettering on the current dollar coins.
To make that comparison you have to compare them to the edge lettering on the proof dollar coins because they are created by the same method, a multi-segmented collar. If you do that you should find they are of similar quality. You can't compare the edge lettering on a proof to those created by the fast edge milling technique. Proof edge lettering is created at a rate of 20 or so coins per minute, the edge lettering for the business strikes are created at a rate of 1000 coins per minute.
I've given up on any quality or designs from the US Mint when it comes to modern issues. However Canadian , Great Britain , and Australia mints seem to nail it . Yes true a lot of granny bait from them...but even that has it hands down over U.S.!
Frankly, I was disappointed by the edge lettering. Last year would have been perfect for a reverse proof. But what do I know....
I was comparing proofs against proofs. The dollar coin lettering is in the same "small letter punch" style as the circulation coins, although more neatly applied with the segmented collar. They couldn't manage to get the stars evenly spaced, though. The ASE lettering is a little more attractive.
IMHO the Maple leaf is so boring and Canada produces too many coins for the average collector to purchase
Your entitled to your options but hands down the RCM makes the best products world wide. Their alloys of both gold and silver are the purest found.