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successive coin struck from one of rare coin value 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 rare and fields. they are also far more common than the earlier cameo strikes. in recognition of the collector demand for these cameos, the mint began experimenting with sandblasting coin techniques in the early-mid 1970''s which helped create a much more intense cameo effect. they also began value 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, rare however, is that if one is patient, and fortunate, one can coin 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 think of! let''s take a brief look at these five value areas, and how cameo''s rate in relation to other u.s. coinage. there are few coins in numismatics as attractive rare 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 coin familiar with this coinage. proof coins themselves value 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 abrade with other rare coins, as business strikes normally would. cameo coin 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
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