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successive coin struck from one of these dies would exhibit somewhat less cameo contrast than the silver half dollars coin before. eventually, the intense pressure of die on planchet would wear the devices to the same smooth, brilliant appearance as the surrounding fields of the coin. these subsequent coins, brilliant proofs, have no discernible contrast between the devices and fields. they are also far more common than the earlier half cameo strikes. in recognition of the collector demand for these cameos, the mint began experimenting with sandblasting techniques in the dollars early-mid 1970''s which helped create a much more intense cameo effect. they also began chromeplating the dies to give them added durability. as silver a result of these new techniques, proof dies today can strike many hundreds of exceptional "black & white" cameos before they begin to wear. what is somewhat astonishing, however, is that if one is patient, half and fortunate, one can occasionally find cameos minted dollars from the earlier 1950 to 1970 era that possess the intense cameo contrast, quality, and eye-appeal of these later proofs! these very early strikes, depending on the year, are obviously quite rare. when one also considers the inferior nature of the proof involved silver "acid-dipping" the dies before they were polished. the solution used during half the 1950 to 1970 period, a bath consisting of 5% nitric acid/95% water, was used to create an acid-etched dollars 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 silver very first strikes off one of these new dies would possess 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 half and dollars - 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
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