Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;medoraman, post: 1242281, member: 26302&quot;]I understand Doug, and you are exactly right. I was just asking if it was a case that &quot;proof&quot; was created for the same reason artist proofs are made, simply a best example for the powers that be to approve production. I have read about this in many fields involving mass production of a artistic nature, (the dies of coins being artistic devices). I only linked the wikipedia definition because it was handy, I have read the same definition in multiple publications.</p><p><br /></p><p>I 100%, fully, completely agree that &quot;modern&quot; proofs are your definition, and its a great definition because it is provable. Your definition is eminently provable, and as such is the best definition for 99% of all collectors.</p><p><br /></p><p>My question is just lies at the base of what a &quot;proof&quot; is. Yes, I am arguing that any coin, struck from fresh dies, specially selected, (or prepared), flans, and is intended to be the finest quality the mint can produce, to me is that mint&#039;s &quot;proof&quot;. I even have a real world example. I was discussing with a mint master of one of those medieval reenacting groups. He said the procedure was he crafted a new die for the new &quot;king&quot;, got a perfect flan and polished it, struck it as well as he could, and then had to show the new &quot;king&quot; the coin before the &quot;king&quot; approved production. To me, that would be a &quot;proof&quot; of his new design. Yes, I know another term would be trial strike, but in this case it wasn&#039;t a normal strike and a normal flan, but specially prepared to be the best example possible. The new &quot;king&quot; even keeps it as the best example of his new coinage.</p><p><br /></p><p>I know Doug, I am probably out there. Hobo&#039;s examples of SMS and mint sets show that just a good quality coin cannot ever be a proof, it has to be the best possible at that mint, which the SMS and mint sets aren&#039;t. My defintion sucks for collectors because intent is almost unprovable, making &quot;proof&quot; designation almost unprovable.</p><p><br /></p><p>Chris[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in