Very new to the hopbby and have read many articles about proof vs. uncirculated. What is everyone's thought, is one better than the other or is it really just personnal preference? I have been buying the US Mint Commemoratives for my daughter (something for dad and daughter to do together) as well as other Mint Proof sets but then i read articles were people are saying to go with Uncirculated. Thanks in advance, just trying to learn the hobby.
First, welcome to the forum. Second: Technically, they are different forms of manufacture. Uncircualted (uncs) are coins made to daily use. Proof are for collectors. So, If you want a complete set of, say, Washington eagle quarters, you would have to get both, which is what I did. I have the complete set including both uncs and proofs (inlcuding clad & silver proofs). Some people just collected the uncs -- or circulated pieces. So, as you mentioned, it is preference.
It is preference. When I am collecting a series by date and mintmark, I personally leave out the proofs. But when I'm buying commemoratives and such from the mint I choose to go for proofs because I like the way they look. Only you can decide, I guess.
none are actually better the us mint tends to make more proof than uncirculated on commems but i like proof
Although I am not a huge "modern" collector I prefer proofs in those series' basically because I think they look sharper and the fact that I don't want to tie up too much money in modern. Going back into 19th century coinage (which I enjoy much more) I have no real desire for proofs. Why, because even though the mintages can be way low most still survive. They were originally bought to be preserved. Business (circulation) strikes, on the other hand, were meant to be just that - circulated. Finding an example and especially a mint state example can be much more challenging. Of course one has to consider budget as well. If I drop $600 on a business strike it's a big purchase. Many times I could get the proof at the same price but I have noticed the business strikes tend to gain value more steadily. In short, I probably just threw a lot more variables into your question. Like others said. It's a personal preference and up to you.
Why not both??? I usually get 1 or 2 of all commemoratives from the mint and I usually get both proof and uncirculated. Sometimes depending on the coin design I like the uncirc better than the proof.
Thanks Thanks to everyone for your reply, just really sounds like it is personnal preference with one not really being "better" than the other. I am slowly learning, thanks again.
Slobberknockers: Just as a side note, I usually try to pick up unc modern commems, simply because they have lower mintages and have a better chance for an increase in value.
I go for the Unc if their mintage is lower than the Proof mintage, however I opt for the Proofif its mintage is lower... Clinker
Beat me to it with that. Every year for many years I order 10 to 15 sets of each from the USMint. I give them to people for Christmas Presents along with the latest copy of the Red Book. It is now tradition and everyone expects them so I just have to keep that going. It does make a nice present for anyone that can not think of something that appears to be of value and is basically a keeper. They both are educational, makes for new collectors, eventually are more valuable than when you gave them, show items, etc. When you think about all the items you've purchased over the years for presents that are now broke, lost, thrown out, given away, those would still be there for the most part.
