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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;ToughCOINS, post: 2998564, member: 20480&quot;]Cameos are perhaps one of the most subjective of all areas of grading, as cameo contrast defines just that . . . a comparison of the depth of frost on the design elements versus the depth of mirrors in the fields.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cameos actually vary much more in character than portrayed by the above photos.&nbsp; There are many graded cameos which possess very strong frost on the portrait, but are subtly frosted in the fields as well . . . even not so subtly frosted.&nbsp; Those also can qualify for the cameo designation, despite not having deeply mirrored fields.</p><p><br /></p><p>Other important factors are uniformity of contrast (uniformly deep fields, and uniformly frosted devices), and balance of contrast, from side-to-side.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are many cameo-graded coins out there which do not interest me, simply because the price at which that grade generally trades does not match my expectations for eye appeal.</p><p><br /></p><p>When looking for cameo coins, I almost always prioritize the level of cameo contrast over the technical grade.&nbsp; I&#039;m buying for arm&#039;s length appeal . . . not for how the coin looks under a loupe.&nbsp; I think focusing on whether a cameo coin is going to grade one grade higher or one grade lower is less important than whether the coin will draw the eyes of others from a distance.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>By extension, that also means I generally feel the spreads between numerical grades of cameos are too large, and the spreads between adjectival grades for same are presently too small (when the contrast is accurately represented by the assigned grade).[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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