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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;BR549, post: 886422, member: 7110&quot;]Further, proof coins can be broken down into era categories, let’s just say that modern proof coinage started in 1968 when the proof operation was moved from the Mother Mint in Philadephia to the San Fransisco Mint. </p><p><br /></p><p>This year, 1968 was the beginning of all the coins in the proof set, half, quarter, dime, nickel and cent to come off the presses with consistent cameo surfaces. As the years progressed through the 70’ &amp; 80’s the San Francisco Mint excelled at creating the Deep Cameo proof coins with the ultimate Ultra-Deep Cameo in the 90’s continuing through to this day.</p><p><br /></p><p>In 1968, the Cupro-nickel clad alloy proved to be a real&nbsp; challenge, but after careful annealing and polishing of the raw planchets, progress was being made. Now, combined with the extra tons per square inch during the pressing, plus the fact the coin is struck twice by the dies, bringing up and defining the devices and lettering, a proof (method of manufacture) is made. </p><p><br /></p><p>The actual coin dies were highly polished with the recesses (devices and lettering) are blasted with micron size beads which will impart a frosty appearance on the struck coin. The polished fields of the die will leave the surface of the coin super smooth and with a mirror like appearance. </p><p><br /></p><p>The coins are inspected as they are produced and the dies are removed at the slightest hint of degradation. The worn dies are refurbished and returned to service. This amount of quality control gives the collector the optimum coin to have in their collection. </p><p><br /></p><p>Some of the best examples of proof coinage from this era were the 90% silver dollars, halves, quarters &amp; dimes…they are truly superb examples of what our mint was capable of producing.</p><p><br /></p><p>Note: When I first started surfing auction sites like e-Bay, sellers were always confusing “Mint Set” when they meant “Proof Set” and visa-versa. I still run across auctions where this occurs, either they don’t care, don’t know or are using key words to attract more attention, glad you want to learn the difference.</p><p><br /></p><p>Happy Collecting[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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