To Cam or not to Cam, that is the question ... the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
RGL
Posts: 3,784 ✭
Board members may remember by astonishment over the grades I received recently on a group of proof Franklins, led by a PR-63 on a '54 I believed to be PR-65 CAM as well as a few others that should have won a CAM designation. The coins arrived back yesterday and upon review, I do not feel any different. We appear to be in a super-tough grading cycle at the moment, as noted by other posters such as Don commenting on lack of CAM on his SMS coins.
If PCGS indeed is employing a tougher CAM standard, it needs to change its definition (emphasis added):
Cameo Proofs (CAM) - 1950-1970 Proof Coinage. As of 9/96 1950 and later also SMA from 1965-67. Send through regrade for designation: The obverse and reverse must exhibit devices, which are at least lightly frosted and create a contrast with the fields.
Frost on devices may be heavier yet contain areas where the frost is lacking or brilliance is evident. A coin which exhibits Deep Cameo attributes on one side and Cameo attributes on the other side is considered only a Cameo.
I have PCGS CAM coins that display as much (or as little) CAM as some of these "lightly frosted" Franklin proofs, but no cigar. I recently picked up a PR-66 CAM 1956 Franklin dirt cheap that was graded recently as evidenced by the bar code on the front of the insert. This coin is a DCAM obverse and a DCAM reverse -- except for a bit of frost fade/brilliance on the bell's staunchon. Are CAMs now largely restricted to just-missed DCAMs? I wonder. And, perhaps others can chime in, but are there different CAM standards for different series?
PCGS has tightened the screws on CAM designations. It should at least revise its "lightly frosted" standard.
If PCGS indeed is employing a tougher CAM standard, it needs to change its definition (emphasis added):
Cameo Proofs (CAM) - 1950-1970 Proof Coinage. As of 9/96 1950 and later also SMA from 1965-67. Send through regrade for designation: The obverse and reverse must exhibit devices, which are at least lightly frosted and create a contrast with the fields.
Frost on devices may be heavier yet contain areas where the frost is lacking or brilliance is evident. A coin which exhibits Deep Cameo attributes on one side and Cameo attributes on the other side is considered only a Cameo.
I have PCGS CAM coins that display as much (or as little) CAM as some of these "lightly frosted" Franklin proofs, but no cigar. I recently picked up a PR-66 CAM 1956 Franklin dirt cheap that was graded recently as evidenced by the bar code on the front of the insert. This coin is a DCAM obverse and a DCAM reverse -- except for a bit of frost fade/brilliance on the bell's staunchon. Are CAMs now largely restricted to just-missed DCAMs? I wonder. And, perhaps others can chime in, but are there different CAM standards for different series?
PCGS has tightened the screws on CAM designations. It should at least revise its "lightly frosted" standard.
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In memory of BL, SM, and KG. 16 and forever young, rest in peace.