Hi every body! How can I tell the difference between PR, CAM, DCAM of US gold Coins??? As I looked at them at pgcs site and they all looked a like !!! Thanks for your detailed answer.
PCGS has a habit of referencing a single image with many of their links, so your not likely to see the difference on the website. If the gold proof coin is relatively new, from after about 1996 or 1998 then chances are you will have a mirror like field on the coin with nice frosty devices - the profile image on the obverse and the written details and dates. These modern proofs are nearly always cameo or deep cameo, Idon't even know why they bother to note it on the modern proofs. In earlier years, many of the proof coins are mirror like throughout the coin, the fields and the devices are mirrorlike. When you find proof coins dated in the fifties, sixties, and seventies which have a cameo or frosted effect on the devices, you will probably have to pay a premium for the privilidge of owning these coins. The mint has flip flopped back and forth with the Cameo effect for a very long time.
Is there a specific type of US gold or year range? You can look in the Heritage archives for gold proofs, DCAM, etc, and large photos do show as well as you will see on the net. If you haven't signed up ( register) it is well worth your while. Then go to coins, and rachives, and enter like GOLD PROOF, or GOLD DCAM, and it will give you a list. example: http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1137&Lot_No=1495 Also, my favorite part, is if you subscribe to COIN WORLD magazine, check the Heritage ads for the free catalog code numbers, each one is good for a free Heritage Catalog when you go to the catalog order page and enter the code number. It is well worth my CW subscription alone. Jim
