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Message:: [QUOTE="statequarterguy, post: 2069364, member: 21782"]From Mint News Blog quoting the mint in 2011. The coins included in the set will feature a “brilliant finish,” which represents a change from recent years. From 2005 to 2010, the US Mint had utilized a “satin finish” for the annual <a href="http://mintsetguide.com/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://mintsetguide.com/" rel="nofollow">Mint Sets</a> and certain other products. According to a Mint press release, the reason for the change was to create more “aesthetically pleasing” coins. With the satin finish, contact marks resulting from coin-on-coin contact were more apparent. In separate statements, the US Mint also indicated that the change was in response to customer feedback and would serve to extend die life. The US mint does seem to be trying to emphasize the difference between uncirculated coins included in the set versus circulating coins, stating, “United States Mint uncirculated coins are struck on special presses using greater force than circulating coins, producing a sharp, intricately detailed image, and feature a brilliant finish.” When the brilliant finish was previously in use, collectors did not differentiate the coins in the same way that they have differentiated the satin finish coins. Since 2005, when updating collections with new releases, some collectors would seek out examples of both business strikes issued for circulation in addition to the satin finish versions included in Mint Sets. The major grading services also separately classified “satin finish” coins from regular circulation strikes. <a href="http://mintnewsblog.com/2011/02/2011-us-mint-uncirculated-coin-set/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://mintnewsblog.com/2011/02/2011-us-mint-uncirculated-coin-set/" rel="nofollow">http://mintnewsblog.com/2011/02/2011-us-mint-uncirculated-coin-set/</a> Of course we don't need to be told what they are, one can see the difference. So, for a collection to be truly complete, one needs to acquire the business strikes, the special mint set coins (satins & brilliants), proofs (including the silver proofs), and, in some cases, enhanced uncirculateds. And remember, take what the TPG'ers tell you with "a grain of salt".  They're concerned with their profit, which often conflicts with how a collector should collect. So, to answer the OP's question, "Is the US Mint confusing young collectors", the answer is NO - but, the TPG'ers ARE.[/QUOTE]

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