proof or uncirculated?

Che_Grapes

Collector coins from the mint usually come in both a proof and uncirculated finish. The proofs are cameo and have mirrored fields but the uncirculated has cartwheel effect and more natural surface strike.

What do you like best?

JBK

Mint sets tend to look like crap lately.

On commems, a lot of the uncs are good looking coins.

ShaunBC5

If it’s a mint product only, I almost always prefer the proof. On ones that could circulate, it depends and I often like both for different reasons.

Jzyskowski1

The uncirculated commemoratives usually have lower mintages but it’s personal.

joeykoins

It all depends. I like both. Sometimes you can find a "Prooflike" (PL) business strike. Then you have best of both worlds!

MFeld

Proofs are not necessarily produced with a cameo finish and “uncirculated” is actually a condition, not a method of manufacture. The counterpart to “Proof” is typically referred to as “business strike”.

jmlanzaf

@MFeld said:
Proofs are not necessarily produced with a cameo finish and “uncirculated” is actually a condition, not a method of manufacture. The counterpart to “Proof” is typically referred to as “business strike”.

Or matte...or burnished...

The Mint isn't helpful here with their inconsistent labeling. They do refer to them as "uncirculated"

JWP

I like the Reverse Proofs. They look fantastic and usually have a very low mintage.

ricko

I have generally preferred proof coins, mainly because I collect and do not sell. The perfection of a proof coin is, to me, a work of art. Cheers, RickO

MJD

Has anyone else gotten sort of burned out on modern cameo proofs? I was looking at some of my brilliant proofs from the 40s and 50s last night, and it made me realize how attractive non-cameo proofs can be.

ChrisH821

@MFeld said:
Proofs are not necessarily produced with a cameo finish and “uncirculated” is actually a condition, not a method of manufacture. The counterpart to “Proof” is typically referred to as “business strike”.

Or "circulation strike" as RWB prefers

To answer the question in the OP, I have been focusing on 1936-1942 Proofs lately.

joeykoins

@MJD said:
Has anyone else gotten sort of burned out on modern cameo proofs?

Yes, the modern Deep Cameo Proofs are ruined by the technology of lasers. Big difference back in the day when a Deep Cameo was truly magnificent! Beautiful in it's own right.

Dave99B

With a few exceptions, I generally prefer Business Strikes over Proofs.

Dave