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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 valuablecoins from this era. It is one of the few series'' left in U.S. numismatics that offers the collector a chance to own scarce 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 valuablecoins future price appreciation. Not necessarily in order of importance, they are: 1. Eye-appeal, 2. Quality, 3. Rarity, 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 successive coin struck from one of these dies would exhibit somewhat less cameo contrast than the 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 valuablecoins the earlier valuablecoins cameo strikes. In recognition of the collector demand for these cameos, the mint began experimenting with sandblasting techniques in the 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 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, and fortunate, one can occasionally find cameos minted 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
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