Cameo and Deep Cameo Proof Lincoln Wheats from the 1950's...Uncommon?

OneCent

My research indicates that cameo or deep cameo Lincon Proofs from the 50's are uncommon and in some cases rare. Non-Cameo proofs, on the other hand, are common.

Why are there so few cameo and deep cameo Lincoln Proof's from the 50's?

Also, what are the technical requirements for a proof to be designated cameo or deep cameo? I always thought that is was a subjective judgement based upon the look of the coin. Evidently there are objective technical elements involved like frosting, no?

Russ

At the time, the mint was making no effort to produce cameo coinage. Since the dies tended to wear quickly, and were not frequently replaced and/or maintained, it was only the first few coins off fresh dies that display deep cameo contrast. Then they display progressively less contrast and quickly became just brilliant. In addition, they also made no effort to match die pairs so there are many examples with one-sided contrast.

Russ, NCNE

Cameonut

If you want a good reference book on this topic, buy Rick Tomaska's book "Cameo and Brilliant Proof Coinage of the 1950 to 1970 Era". It is not expensive and explains the mintage process in great detail. It is also heavily illustrated. Worth every penny.

1907Quarter

also the Redbook series on Proof sets does a fine job of explanation...