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Message:: [QUOTE="onecenter, post: 1426334, member: 8703"]From Coins of Canada 2011 by J.A. Haxby and R.C. Willey (page 238): "From the early days of the 19th century, mints around the world have struck small quantities of coins in superior quality for presentation to visiting dignitaries, etc.  In some years, these 'specimen' sets were made available to the general public to add to their collections.  These coins are [minted] from immaculately treated dies and planchets and are struck on slow-moving presses under higher than normal pressure.  The coins so produced all have unusually sharp details and sharp edges.  Although the device is usually frosted, the fields can be either frosted or mirror-like." Prior to 1981, Canada's circulation coinage was only available in specimen grade sets.  The Royal Canadian Mint is known for its extremely high quality coinage.  Our Canadian friends and collectors are a fussy group and the Royal Canadian Mint always rises to the occasion.  Many Canadian coin collectors often call all coins issued since the 1960's as "proof," but are not so, until the issuance of the first true proof set in 1981, the double dollar set. You can purchase many 1970s and 1980s Canadian double dollar sets at very reasonable prices and draw an immense appreciation of the magnificent quality that comes from Ottawa, Hull and Winnipeg's presses.[/QUOTE]