Anyone remember when the Mint began "snake skin" proofs? 0

[RWB]

I remember them being awful looking things, but can't remember when they started.

Edited December 8, 2021 by RWB

[Hoghead515]

Ive never seen one. Ill have to check them out. Must not been to popular. Never do hear of them. What years did they make them?

[Alex in PA.]

+1

[physics-fan3.14]

Around 2009. 

You can read the thread on the PCGS forums where the name was coined: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/708987/when-did-this-happen-snakeskin-proofs/p1

[EdG_Ohio]

According to this guy around 09'

"

RWB Posts: 8,153 ✭

March 3, 2009 7:54AM

The “frosted” surface is generated by laser, not by sandblasting the relief. The laser offers more precise control and w/o magnification the difference cannot be easily noticed. Under magnification, it resembles snake skin or mechanical engraving."
 

[RWB]

Ah! EdG_Ohio --- Thanks for the reminder! (I rarely search for myself,,,)

[Hoghead515]

I did a search with no results. Then with the links provided above I see what you mean. The lazer etching does leave a snake skin pattern. 

[RWB]

Here's a sequence of quarters from 2008, 2009, and 2010.

2008 frosting was made by polishing a size of the coin, then making a frisket (a protective mask) on the field and sandblasting the relief. In 2009 the manual frisket was not used. A computer controlled laser popped little depressions in the relief but was supposed to avoid the field. By 1910 the mint had further refined the incompetence by using a larger size laser spot and more aggressive abrasion. This last result proved that management at that time didn't care are anything except "cheap and ugly." It took a decade to reach the current state of frosting that remains inferior to the "old fashioned" way. (I used photos of 900% silver proofs so that the results could be compared to traditional proofs where the frost came from routine acid treatment of new dies.)

[VKurtB]

I’ve never seen it described as “snake skin” by anybody but you, Roger, but yes, it coincided with the end of matte finish uncirculated set coins. The quality under serious magnification still pretty much stinks.

Edited December 8, 2021 by VKurtB

[DWLange]

Sometimes the lasering is slightly out of sync with the die, leaving a sliver of relief unfrosted and a sliver of frosting on the field at the other side of the relief device. NGC sometimes get these coins mistakenly submitted as doubled-dies.

[RWB]

Yep. The famous "slight overrun" excuse from the die dept. when asked -- as if they were painting a house.

[VKurtB]

On 12/9/2021 at 3:29 PM, DWLange said:

Sometimes the lasering is slightly out of sync with the die, leaving a sliver of relief unfrosted and a sliver of frosting on the field at the other side of the relief device. NGC sometimes get these coins mistakenly submitted as doubled-dies.

/eye roll recorded on Richter Scale. Doubled dies. Sheesh. We should ban the phrase.

[RWB]

Double-dead, not doubled-die....

[Henri Charriere]

On 12/8/2021 at 4:50 PM, VKurtB said:

I’ve never seen it described as “snake skin” by anybody but you, Roger, but yes, it coincided with the end of matte finish uncirculated set coins. The quality under serious magnification still pretty much stinks.

(This post reminds me to urge you to recognize I have reconciled your admonition against Never using a magnification exceeding 5-x to 7-x, for "grading".  For coins requiring meaningful "autopsy," supporting a finding of cause of death, requires higher magnification such as is provided by your heavy artillery: two lense microscope, is warranted and acceptable.]  I respectfully acquiesce.