Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;messydesk, post: 3174124, member: 1765&quot;]I imagine it comes from the PCGS grading standards.&nbsp; If so, then you really can&#039;t argue that a grading service you say changes with the wind with regard to this term can have their definition used as the standard.&nbsp; They could have just as easily included other coins made at Philadelphia and branch mints with the same characteristics, but it would have become a far more complex explanation to put in a glossary, as they would have to be differentiated from proof-like business strikes.&nbsp; Even so, I don&#039;t see any exclusivity in their definition.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ignoring coinage made after 1967 (i.e., modern gimmick finishes) for the moment, we can look at what&#039;s a proof coin and what&#039;s not:</p><p><br /></p><p>Proof:&nbsp; Specially prepared dies, polished planchets, authorized to be produced as collector coins separate from those produced for commerce, produced on a special press (which could be a medal press, or a differently tuned production press).</p><p><br /></p><p>Normal business strike:&nbsp; None of the above proof characteristics.</p><p><br /></p><p>This leaves 14 different combinations of die, planchet, press, and administrative preparation that fall in between, regardless if they were made before or after 1817 (28 if you include that date).&nbsp; What should each be called?&nbsp; Should there be a separate term in each case?&nbsp; Some should be, and are lumped in with normal business strikes, such as when a spent proof die is used for general production.&nbsp; For the other 13, it would be a nightmare to keep each term straight, and it makes more sense to realize that if at some time &quot;specimen&quot; was exclusively reserved for the early proof-like special strikings, it was a short-sighted, and insufficient definition.[/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