Mint State or Proof

[Tradedollarnut]

Do you prefer MS coins or Proof coins? Why?

 

Personally, I love the effect of cartwheel luster. Some of my favorite proofs have had a bit of this and have looked spectacular. This is unusual tho, so I tend toward the MS coins.

[EVillageProwler]

i dislike pfs, but love my ms coins to be pf-like.

 

is that strange?

 

evp

 

[CarlWohlforth]

I love MS coins with luster. But I like ultra cameo proofs best!

[C.Urch]

I prefer mint state coins but also like proofs. There's something about a DCAM that just jumps out at you through the mirrored fields that kinda mesmerizes me. It's also nice that the "powers that be" recognize the collecting community enough to strike a special edition just for them.

[Guest]

TDN, like you I live for mint luster. In the 19th century most dates are far rarer in choice MS than choice Proof. And branch mints only come one way for the most part. I find that many people have a tough time evaluating luster and surfaces on mint state coin so they tend to gravitate to the proofs which appear easier. Proofs almost always look good, But I find finding hairlines on proofs to be far more difficult in auction and show viewing than evaluating mint luster. I was hooked on

mint state coins from the beginning while looking for rarer branch mint coins in the choice UNC. Give me luster or give me death.............

 

roadrunner

[coppercoins-migration]

My absolute favorites are the early Lincoln matte proofs. I'm not a big proponent of the later proofs, especially those made in the 1950s and 1960s.

 

I'd about saw my right arm off for a full 1909 proof set. I believe all the coins would have been matte, no? (all I really know is the copper...not sure what the Barbers would be like.)

[Tradedollarnut]

The Barbers would be brilliant. How about the gold, would that be satin or matte?

[Guest]

I like them both the same.Errors are a must for me. MS and PF coins are neat as long as they have high grades.

 

Coolcoin

[Klectorkid]

I like MS coins unless it is a classic proof with cameo.

[braddick]

I agree, my first choice is MintState. But, with monster rainbow toning, proofs work well too!

[keithdagen]

When I first started collecting, my focus was on modern commems. I collected both proof and MS, and then for budgetary reasons, axed one. I chose to keep the MS, because the mintages were lower, and the gold coins appeared to have more eye appeal to me.

 

When I went to a 20th Century set, I looked at both choices again, and for the post-1964 pieces, nothing really differentiates one coin from another in proof, so I chose MS, because they have a little more character, and can be found toned.

[Hoot]

Mmmmm... Matte and satin proofs are delicious, especially in buffalo nickels (matte: 1913-16, satin: 1936) and the 1994 and 1997 Jefferson specimens! I simply love specimen coins that do not have the mirror fields since they can have cartwheel lustre and look like a really well struck business strike!

 

As for MS vs. mirror PFs, I'll take MS. I do, however, enjoy mirror proofs with cameo devices.

 

God, I'm drooling.

 

Hoot

[jtryka]

I prefer MS gold, and have never been a fan of the Satin/Matte proofs in gold. But I will say I've never seen any coin more gorgeous than a cameo proof Liberty double eagle.

[Oldtrader3]

I am with you on Proof Gold! I also really like mint luster on gold and dollars, but I also really appreciate Matte Proofs. I am developing a taste for DCAM proofs since I have my Capital Holder Ike's and Kennedy's on my desk where I look at them everyday.