That coin has a very good finish indeed. But how can someone grade a coin as proof since the proof quality is about the minting process itself? (I must confess I don't know much about proofs at all)
I guess because it's a pattern coin (much attention and care for a single specimen) and I guess any coin made by a machine (instead of hammered) with well-polished dies can be called proof (of course you won't find mirror like surfaces).
It depends on your precise definition of Proof. I would say the first coin created, and the first coin created with each new of type of manufacturing process is a Proof coin in the original sense -- "Does this thing work? Does this equipment produce what we expect?".
Verweis : "bjherbison"It depends on your precise definition of Proof. I would say the first coin created, and the first coin created with each new of type of manufacturing process is a Proof coin in the original sense -- "Does this thing work? Does this equipment produce what we expect?".
This is not the definition of "proof." Proof coins are coins produced with specially polished planchets and they are struck for collectors. Patterns/essais are usually struck on specially prepared planchets as well, probably to make them look better. The first test of a new die for coin production is called a "die trial."
The modern definition of a Proof, as I understand it, is that it is struck on a polished planchet with polished dies, with multiple impressions at heavier pressure and slower speeds than for business strikes.
Steam coin presses were first used to strike English coins for circulation in 1660, and this is the conversion date from “hammered” to “milled” coinage. Patterns struck to convince the Crown to acquire the presses could be expected to be dated slightly before this.
