It is Fiesta Tuesday once again. This post is especially for my bestie, , who started the #fiestatuesday tag for anyone to showcase coins from one of the oldest mints in the world, and I any silver for that matter. We just want to have fun... it is a fiesta💃🌮!!!
A lovely coin...
The 2019 Mexico Silver Libertad, Proof 1 ozt
What is a proof coin?
The U.S. Mint recognizes a proof coin as “a specially made coin distinguished by sharpness of detail, usually with a brilliant mirror-like surface.” However, proof does not necessarily indicate the condition of the coins, but rather the way in which the coins are produced or manufactured. Proof coins are struck at least twice and treated with special dies which make their features more defined, detailed, and glossy.
The quality of both proofs and uncirculated coins are graded. The condition of a proof is graded on a number scale, with PR 60 being perfect condition. The lower the proof grade is, the more wear or handling the coin shows.
The characteristics of proof coins are:
Appearance. Proof coins are struck twice instead of just once like regular coins, but this one extra strike gives the coins a much shinier, clean-looking finish and makes the intricate details of the design pop. Most proofs can be identified by their mirror-like background. This attractive presentation is one of the most popular qualities of proof coins.
Scarcity. Because of the extra time and effort the mints must spend to produce proofs compared to regular coins, and since raw coins tend to represent the bulk of coin sales, there are usually fewer proofs made. In fact, only 5-20% of the total amount of uncirculated coins produced in a series are proof, making them much more rare.
Collectability. With their high-quality presentation and rarity, proof sets are often sought after by collectors. This collectability is one of the best qualities of proofs.
Value. Generally speaking, proof coins have a higher relative mark-up than uncirculated coins. As a collector’s item, proofs can be sold for more than the value of the raw precious metals they contain. However, the downside is they cost a little more than uncirculated coins to purchase.