Hi everyone, I have a proof coin that I bought on the day of release direct from the mint...when it came, the COA has a serial of 3.... would this be consider a first strike proof coin?
It would, if /a/ First Strike meant anything (it doesn't it's marketing BS from the Third Party Graders [TPGs]) /b/ Most COAs actually meant anything (typically they are serialized when printed and then somebody in packaging takes from a pile and inserts one in each box - so there's no relationship between strike order and COA cert#)
Many coins are actually minted (struck) long before release from the mint. It operates like a simple inventory of non-perishables, first in - last - out. The mint may be striking 2020 coins right now (or, at least later this year) and putting them away until release. First Strike, First Release and such are marketing gimmicks just as @Burton Strauss III noted above. It adds nothing to the value of a coin.
First, welcome to the neighborhood! What BS III said is no BS. Well, it is BS, but it isn't his BS. The terms that BS III referred to is the BS. Get it? Chris
That's a little better than the average COA which is a machine printed blurb naming some company you've never heard of signed illegibly by some officer. That's what's called provenance.