Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Vess1, post: 773240, member: 13650&quot;]Since it sounds like you&#039;re fairly new to them, lets start with the basics.&nbsp;&nbsp; There are basically two different types you can collect.&nbsp;&nbsp; Proofs and/or Mint State (a.k.a&nbsp; &#039;MS&#039; or business strikes)&nbsp; &nbsp; The proofs, commonly refered to as &#039;PF&#039; followed by a grade (69,70..etc..) are made by using specially prepared planchets (blanks) and highly polished dies.&nbsp; Which creates a coin that has mirrored fields.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can see your reflection in them.&nbsp; These are specially handled at the mint, strictly for collectors.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; Proofs are made across many types of U.S. and foreign coins as well dating back to the 1800s.&nbsp;&nbsp; Only they weren&#039;t as high of quality back then.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; The MS ones are easier to produce and more common, which makes them quite a bit cheaper.&nbsp; (Typically 50% the value of a proof.)&nbsp; &nbsp; The MS have an overall satiny appearance and don&#039;t reflect light as much.&nbsp;&nbsp; In later years, they also made burnished examples which are similar to the MS.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2006 was the 20th anniversary of the ASE.&nbsp; They made a special MS, PF and reverse proof set, which was exclusive to that year so far.&nbsp;&nbsp; The rev. PF has the mirror finish on the raised devices on the coin while the fields remained frosty.&nbsp; &nbsp; Very cool one which is on my list for 2010.&nbsp; &nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp; After 2000, they&#039;ve been primarily producing these at the West Point mint which you will see a W on the reverse of them.&nbsp;&nbsp; With a few exceptions.&nbsp;&nbsp; Before that, there was one special proof from West point made in 2005.&nbsp; The rest were proofs from S.F. mint and MS were produced in Philly, primarily, from 1986-2000.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; The MS examples are very common and have been sold in every type of packaging under the sun to promote sales and make them seem rare or special, to command higher prices.&nbsp;&nbsp; I normally take them out and store them in uniform packaging to make storage easier.&nbsp;&nbsp; They are basically just bullion coins.&nbsp;&nbsp; MS70 and PF70 are the highest slabbed grades, making them &#039;theoretically&#039; perfect examples with no flaws.&nbsp; As such, you can expect to see high premiums on these, though many times, they are not considered rare.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Many people frown on the idea of 69 or 70 for such perfectly made coins.&nbsp; They will not pay the premium for the little difference that exists between them.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; But if offered a 69 or a 70, everybody would take the 70.&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/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