Coin Collecting Question?
Im a about to start collecting US $ coins. My question is what is the difference between UNCIRCULATED and PROOF.
ex. 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar Proof Obverse
and
2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar Uncirculated Obverse
Is there a difference in value? which one is better to collect. Thank you.
The word uncirculated is quite descriptive, an uncirculated coin is a coin which is quite literally in mint condition. Because of the fact that coins are mass produced, there can be considerable surface marks, scratches, light abrasion or edge knocks. Even before a coin leaves the mint, it may be considerably less than perfect.
Sometimes uncirculated coins are described as ordinary uncirculated to differentiate them from proof coins.
Proof is not a grade, but a term for a specially struck coin, produced originally as pre-production samples, now often marketed for collectors.
Most proof coins have the raised parts of the design in a matt or sand-blasted finish, while the flat part or background has a highly polished mirror finish. The dies used to strike proofs are usually sand blasted first, and then the flat raised areas of the die, which correspond to the flat background areas of the coin, are then polished to a mirror finish.
The blanks from which the coins are struck are also specially prepared and polished prior to striking.
Proof coins can be expected to be absolutely perfect without blemishes.
Proof coins is more expensive than uncirculated coins. Uncirculated coins are better to collect because there are more of them around and they are not tight on the budget.
Barbie 50th Anniversary 1 oz. Silver Proof Coin
| | One dollar S ,2010 Proof $2.99 |
| | 1990 United States Eisenhower Centennial Proof Silver Dollar $20.95 |
| | 1991 United States Korean War Memorial Proof Silver Dollar $26.00 |
| | CANADA – 1995 SILVER DOLLAR – 325TH ANNIVERSARY HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY – PROOF $80.00 |
| | 2001 Canada National Ballet Double Dollar Proof Set $59.95 |
| | 1992 Proof Olympic Silver Dollar & Half Dollar $49.99 |
| | 2005 Canada Proof Sterling Silver $30 Coin – Totem Pole $49.95 |
| | 1968S PROOF COMMEMORATIVE SET WITH OLD STAMPS, COLLECTABLE 40% SILVER HALF $24.95 |
| | 2005 Canada $15 Year of the Rooster Proof Silver Coin & Stamp (sealed) $79.95 |
| | 1976 Turks & Caicos 20 Crowns 2 Large Sterling Silver Proof Set 2.3oz $99.95 |
| | 1973 Bahamas $10 Santa Maria Ship Large Sterling Silver Proof 1.5oz $89.95 |
| | 1987 S Constitution Bicentennial .999 Fine Silver Proof w COA & Box $23.00 |
| | 1990 Proof Eisenhower Silver Dollar Commemorative $33.50 |
| | 1986 Statue of Liberty Proof Two Piece Set-Dollar & Half Dollar $38.99 |
| | 1988 U.S. Olympic Proof Silver Dollar Commemorative $33.50 |
| | 1992 White House 200th Anniversary Proof Silver Dollar Commemorative $36.50 |
| | 1995-S Civil War Proof Half Commemorative $27.99 |
| | 1994-S Proof Capital Dollar Commemorative $31.00 |
| | 2004 Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Proof Silver Dollar Commemorative $43.50 |
| | 1991 U.S. Mount Rushmore Anniversary Proof Silver Dollar Commemorative $41.50 |
| | 1997 Canada Proof Silver Dollar “Loon 10th Anniversary” $79.95 |
| | 1996 Canada $2 Gold Coin Proof “Polar Bear” 22kt ( Very Rare Coin ) $399.95 |
| | 2003-05-07-08 Canada $2 Frosted Proof Sterling Silver $49.95 |
| | 1989 US Mint CONGRESSIONAL SILVER Proof Dollar Commemorative Coin Set Box & COA $45.95 |
| | 2004 Canada $15 Year of the Monkey Proof Silver Coin & Stamp (sealed) $99.95 |
| | 1983 S PROOF Olympic Silver Dollar US Mint Commemorative Coin Set Discus Thrower $45.95 |
| | 1991 PROOF Korean War US Mint Commemorative Silver Dollar Korea Coin Set $46.95 |
| | 2001 Canada $15 Year of the Snake Proof Silver Coin & Stamp (sealed) $79.95 |
| | 1989 Canada Mackenzie River Double Dollar Proof Set $29.95 |
| | 1992 S Olympic 50 C ~ Ultra Cameo NGC PROOF 69 Rare Highly Sought After Coin! $15.50 |
| | 1999 Canada Queen Charlotte Islands Double Dollar Proof Set $69.95 |
| | 2007 Canada Proof Silver $1 Thayendanegea Enamel Effect $119.95 |
| | 2006 Canada $10 “Fortress of Louisbourg” Proof Silver Coin $39.95 |
| | 3 Canada Double Dollar Proof Sets – 2001 -2003 – 2004 $179.95 |
| | 1988 PROOF Olympic US Mint Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin Set $44.95 |
| | 2002 Canada Golden Jubilee Special Edition Double Dollar Proof Set W/ GP Dollar $89.95 |
| | 1984 S OLYMPIC Coliseum Silver Dollar Proof Commemorative Coin Set Box & COA $47.95 |
| | 1997 Jersey 5Pounds “Elizabeth & Philip” Proof Silver $29.95 |
| | 1989 Congressional Proof 2 Coin Set, Silver Dollar & Clad Half, No Box, No COA $51.95 |
| | ***2011 Prince William & Miss Kate Wedding Coin Proof w/Blue Swarovski Crystal $122.00 |
| | 1986 United States Liberty Half Dollar Proof Commemorative Coin MINT Condition $40.00 |
| | ***2010 Ltd 5000 $1 COLORIZED ENAMELED “POPPY” PROOF SILVER Reduced Price #4136 $222.00 |
| | 1994-S Proof Capitol Silver Dollar Commem $36.99 |
| | 1987-S Proof Constitution Silver Dollar Commem $29.99 |
| | 1986 S STATUE OF LIBERTY DOLLAR LOT OF 2 PROOF $59.40 |
| | 2009-P Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Proof Silver Dollar in OGP w/COA $43.00 |
| | 2000 CANADA PROOF DOUBLE DOLLAR SET VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY $94.95 |
| | 2000 Library Of Congress Commemorative Silver Proof $1 $47.95 |
| | 2012 Proof Silver Dollar- 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 $57.90 |
| | 1991-1995 World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coins Two Coin Proof Set $40.00 |
| | 2007 JAMESTOWN 400TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE PROOF SILVER DOLLAR w/ Box & COA $34.99 |
| | New Netherlands 1st Settlement In New York Bronze Commemorative Proof Coin Medal $9.99 |
| | US Gold Coins 1795-1933 Circulating Proof Commemorative $69.95 |
| | 2009 PROOF ABRAHAM LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE SILVER DOLLAR w/ Box & COA $42.00 |
| | 2005 SPECIAL ED. $5 SILVER PROOF SASKATCHEWAN POST $9.00 $52.95 |
| | 1991 S Proof USO Silver Dollar US Mint Commemorative Coin with Box & COA $45.95 |
| | 1992 White House Commemorative Silver Dollar US Mint Proof Coin Set with Box COA $44.95 |
| | UKRAINE: SILVER COIN “SWALLOW’S NEST” decorative castle in CRIMEA – PROOF – 2008 $99.99 |
| | UKRAINE: SILVER COIN “AQUARIUS” ZODIAC – PROOF – 2007 $89.99 |
| | 1988 US Olympic Proof Silver $1 Dollar commemorates US in 1988 Olympics $24.99 |
| | Canada 2011 6-Coin 1911 Pattern Silver $1 Proof Set $244.95 |
| | 1993 Bill of Rights Silver Dollar Proof Commemorative US Mint Coin Set Box & COA $48.95 |
| | 1993 S Thomas Jefferson 250th Anniversary Proof Silver Dollar Commemorative Coin $46.95 |
| | 1994 World Cup Proof Silver Dollar US Mint Soccer Commemorative Coin Box & COA $47.95 |
| | 2011-P Medal of Honor Commemorative Proof Silver Dollar in OGP w/COA $41.00 |
| | 1976 Silver PROOF Bi-Centennia 40% 3 Coin Set Box & COA Original Free Ship USA $31.50 |
| | 2001 $20 Canada Silver Coin Proof.925 w/COA & Case: Russell Light Four: CCM Car $53.99 |
| | 1992 Columbus Quincentenary 2-Coin Proof US Commemorative Coin Set $46.00 |
| | 1994 Women in Military Service US Mint Proof Silver Dollar Coin Set with Box COA $46.95 |
| | 1994 US Capitol Bicentennial Silver Dollar PROOF US Mint Coin Set with Box & COA $46.95 |
| | 1995 Special Olympic World Games Proof Silver Dollar Coin Eunice Kennedy Shriver $47.95 |
| | 1991 US Mint USO Commemorative PROOF Silver Dollar $ Coin + box , sleeve, COA $54.00 |
| | UKRAINE: SILVER COIN “CAPRICORN” – ZODIAC- PROOF – 2007 $99.99 |
| | 1995 W Civil war NGC PF69 Ultra Cameo $5 gold US Mint Proof $499.00 |
| | 2006 San Francisco Old Mint Commem Silver Proof $1 $47.95 |
| | Canada 2011 Crystal Snowflake $20 Silver Proof MONTANA $129.95 |
| | Disney DCA Commemorative Lithograph Signed Artist Proof $139.99 |
| | Very Nice 1977 Royal Mint Proof Sterling Silver QEII Jubilee Commemorative Coin $11.49 |
| | GEORGE WASHINGTON COMMEMORATIVE SILVER HALF DOLAR PROOF $20.00 |
| | 2011 Australia 1 Oz. 99.9% Silver Royal Wedding Proof (#7901) $109.95 |
