Mirrors on copper proofs - are they difficult to see in pictures?

dan1ecu

I've seen pictures of copper proofs described as having strong or deep mirrors, yet it's not obvious by looking at the pictures.

Are mirrors on copper coins difficult to catch with a camera? Do you have examples to show where you can see that the coin has deep mirrors?

Dan

mgoodm3

I can only speak to early proofs, but mirrors are pretty variable on indian cents, some crappy, some really nice. Can be hard to show in plastic. A couple of my better ones.

mgoodm3

Oh, another thing. When looking at a standard straight-on picture, better mirrors will look darker and have less luster.

Edit: 1st has some luster and not as good mirrors, second has very little luster and darker fields = better mirrors.

dan1ecu

Nice coins, great photography!

Dan

RedneckHB

Another example. First is straight on. As Mark stated great mirrors will appear darker. Second is to show the mirrors. This will usually create a "cameo" appearance with the devices being darker.

mgoodm3

That 1897 is nice.

RedneckHB

Thanks Mark. It is a no-brainer cameo, but PCGS wont designate as such.

michael

superb example cohodk

weather or not pcgs holders it as cameo IT IS STILL AN EXTREMELY STRONG EXCEPTIONAL CAMEO


and believe it or not the market is always in a state of flux today will not certify as cameo tomorrow is a finest known colored cameo all things in the coin game go in cycles

always buy scarce coins like this 1897 monster toned and cameo deeply mirrored gem proof indian head cent and you WILL NEVER GO WRONG

too many people buy the holder ie ga-ga grade ms/pr 69 70 common coins with rarified plastic and tags they are the ones that will be holding the bag so to apeak in the up and coming future

but the coin not the holder........buy a trulyscarce classic coin with great eye appeal currently not in fashion in the market

cosmicdebris

RKKay

<< <i> >>

LeeG

I really love this one. Can't claim rights to the pic though, those rights belong to cohodk.



Edited to add my pic's of this coin. This is the best I can do so far

shylock

I've never seen a photograph that completely captured a mirrored copper proof -- I'm talking true reflective mirrors here, as they look in hand when held at an angle against the light. I've made hundreds of attempts and can only get a quarter of the coin at best without compromising the look of the coin with glare: link

I think this is the reason why I love high end copper proofs so much. They are so ellusive.

The black and white option has always been my fallback when it comes to RD proofs.

cosmicdebris

Probably one of the best examples I have.