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think of! Let''s take a brief look at these five areas, and how cameo''s rate in relation to other U.S. coinage. There are few coins in numismatics as attractive as a cameo proof. While some may disagree with this statement, there is no disputing the opinions of literally thousands of collectors and dealers already familiar with this coinage. Proof coins themselves are minted specifically for collectors. As such, they have always represented the state-of-the-art in minting techniques. The mint has always gone to considerable trouble to produce these coins. Proof dies are highly polished and buffed until the surfaces possess a mirror-like perfection. Planchets go through extra steps in their preparation, until they too possess a brighter, satiny appearance. Traditionally, proof planchets have been hand-fed into the die, and have always been double struck, under higher pressures than business strikes, to bring out every possible detail. Once struck, the coins are handled individually so as not to half dollar coins abrade with other coins, as business strikes normally would. cameo proofs were the very earliest strikes off new proof dies. during certain periods in the history of the mint, part of the die preparation process involved "acid-dipping" the dies before they were polished. the solution used during the 1950 to 1970 coins period, a bath consisting of 5% nitric acid/95% water, was used to create an acid-etched appearance on the die. when the die was subsequently polished and buffed, the recessed portions of the die, the devices, retained their acid-etched cameo. the very first strikes off one of these new half dollar coins dies would possess coins a gorgeous, intense cameo effect very similar in quality to the proofs minted today. the raised portions of these early strikes, the devices (on the franklin half, these would be the bust of franklin, the lettering, and date on the obverse, and the liberty bell, eagle, and lettering on the reverse) would display a snow-white cameo effect that would stand in stark contrast to the deep-mirrored fields surrounding them. the flawless, jewel-like quality of the best of these cameos almost look like works of art rather than mere coins! indeed, to most collectors, these coins are works of art! the frosted devices of these early cameo dies were quite delicate - one could easily scratch a bit of frost from the die with one''s fingernail, and were the first part of the die to wear. each buyer, there are still opportunities in u.s. numismatics. certainly one of the brightest stars in the numismatic galaxy is the 1950 to 1970 cameo proof and special mint set series. 1950 to 1970 cameo proof coinage represents one of the last frontiers in u.s. numismatics, as few series offer the collector so much in terms of beauty, quality, scarcity, and eye-appeal - for so little, as the top quality cameo proof and special mint set coins from this era. it is one of the few series'' left in u.s. numismatics that offers the collector a chance to own scarce half dollar coins u.s. coins that represent the absolute ultimate in quality - often for a very modest price. most knowledgeable collectors and dealers would agree that there are five primary factors that help determine a coin''s desirability, value, and potential for future price appreciation. not necessarily in order of importance, they are: 1. eye-appeal, 2. quality, 3. rarity, coins 4. price, and 5. potential for widespread collector appeal. quite simply, cameo proof coinage of the 1950 to 1970 era currently offer more eye-appeal, quality, rarity, and potential for widespread collector appeal per numismatic dollar than any other u.s. coin series i can
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