Cameo, Deep Cameo

swampfox

Can one of you experts please explain the difference in regular proof, Cameo & Deep Cameo? How can I tell the difference if I look at a coin?

coinpage

Proof:


Cameo Proof:


Deep Cameo Proof:

swampfox

Thanks, that sure makes it clear.

CarlWohlforth

The dies were created to produce cameo contrast. The first few coins were Deep Cameo as intended by the US Mint. As the dies wore down the frost gradually became weaker and weaker. Also the fields gradually lost their perfect mirror like quality. So there is an almost infinite variation between Super Duper Ultra Cameo++++ and the perfect mirror like devices of a pure Brilliant proof coin. The division between cameo and Deep Cameo is arbitrary and often frustrating...

Russ

The difference is degree of contrast between the fields, (flat areas) and the devices, (raised areas). Here's an illustration using a coin of the same type:

Cameo:


Deep cameo:


Additional reading here:

Thread number one.

Thread number two.

Russ, NCNE