DCAM versus CA versus PR

gabrielmurphy

Hello All:

I am in need of some advise regarding the value of PR versus CA versus DCAM.

I am considering the purchase of a number of proof coins that are plain PF, some are CA and yet others are DCAM.

My question is simple: is DCAM better than CA irrespective of grade and CA better than PF irrespective of grade? By "better", I mean if you are putting together a set that is the absolute finest, which would you prefer (here are the examples):

You own a coin that is PF68 and which is pop 1 with 0 finer. However, there are 19 cameo coins in the same date/mintmark, the highest cameo of which is CA66 of which there are two and none finer. Mind you you have PF68 (pop 1 w/ 0 finer) and the cameo is two grades down and two exists (CA66, pop 2 none finer). Which is the more desirable coin?

Another example: you own a coin that is CA68 which is also a pop 1 with 0 finer. However, there is only 1 DCAM coin which is graded a DCAM64- keep in mind you own a CA68 which is 4 "grades" higher than the DCAM64. There is only one DCAM (the DCAM64) but you own the only CA68. Which is the more desirable coin?

Final example: you own a coin that is CA66 if which there are 12 with 0 finer. However, there are 2 DCAM coins in DC65 (one grade below your CA66). Which is the more desirable coin?


My simple question is this: Does CA supersede PF and does DC supersede CA irregardless of grade in terms of investment value? If not, what is the point of indifference?

illini420

PCGS Prices

Can check prices of graded coins and see differences there. Even though I think the prices on there seem high sometimes, but they show differences between CA and DCAM for some of the issues.

Hope that helps, as the site has helped me.

Russ

<< <i>My question is simple: is DCAM better than CA irrespective of grade and CA better than PF irrespective of grade? >>



Sometimes yes, sometimes no. There are plenty of ugly DCAMs that don't look as nice as a cameo, and plenty of ugly cameos that don't look as nice as a brilliant. That being said I would, for example, rather have a PR67DCAM that was all there than a PR68CAM that was all there. By all there I mean the DCAM is REALLY a DCAM and is spot and haze-free. Same translates to cameo vs brilliant.

Russ, NCNE

Steve

Gabriel,
The simple answer is to own the coins that look best to YOU. If you are more interested in what the coin may be thought of if you sell it, then DCAM is better than CAM and CAM is better than PR RD and PR RD is better than PR RB and PR RB is better than PR BN. I collect Lincoln cent proofs and I deliberately stayed away from CAM coins in the sixties because they are a transition period between brilliant proofs and deep cameo proofs. It is all VERY individual and in my case I like all my collection to be either brilliant or deep cameo. I switched with year 1972. I never worried about the numeral grade. I bought the highest grade that was reasonable for the price. JMHO. Steve

TomB

I would buy the coins I liked the most and not allow myself to be fooled by the current rules of an online registry or of certified designations.

CarlWohlforth

From 1936 to approximately 1975 brilliant proof coins were the rule with deep cameo contrast being scarce to rare for many dates. More recently most proofs are cameo if not DCAM.

So what is the finest set? What do you want your set to look like? You could have the finest set of brilliant proofs or you could have the finest set of cameo coins. Are you limiting your set to a specific time range? To me a mixed set doesn't have the impact of a matched set.

Personally I like cameo coins. So when I put together a fine set of early proof Jefferson Nickels I tried to get DCAMs. These are not available for several dates so I would settle for cam or brilliant if there was no choice. So, for me, I would choose a PR 64 DCAM over a PR 69 plain or even a PR 70 cameo assuming it wasn't horrible looking with some weird toning or something.

Due to the difficulty in locating cameo proof Jefferson nickels from 1938-1942 I am now just focusing on that.

Mercury10c

What Russ said.
I know that doesn't help you, but you have to consider the coin you are thinking of buying vs. what you ideally would like to buy vs. why you are buying it vs price vs. etc, etc.
There are too many variables involved to say that yes, CAM is better than DCAM. To someone who doesn't have much money, CAM is better (cheaper) than DCAM and brilliant is better (cheaper) than both for any particular date and grade. For someone putting together the finest registry set, DCAM is better than CAM. You need to weigh all the varibles and then decide what is best for you. If you are talking strictly eye-appeal, most people will say this: DCAM is nicer than CAM which is nicer than brilliant.

Russ

<< <i>For someone putting together the finest registry set, DCAM is better than CAM. >>



It may be better in the ranking, but it isn't necessarily better in reality.

Russ, NCNE

100proof1957

I have no idea what you guys are speaking of !

Wolf359

My simple question is this: Does CA supersede PF and does DC supersede CA irregardless of grade in terms of investment value?

Buying for investment value only is always a dangerous thing. Are you a collector or a speculator?

sfs2002usa

"it may be better in the ranking, but it isn't necessarily better in reality."

I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE. I own an 1964 NGC 67CAM Accented Hair Kennedy
Half which is a true beauty. It is definitely "brighter" (possibly dipped) than the
regular brilliant half in my 1964 Proof Set. I like the coin and am not even tempted
to pick up a 67DCAM at prohibitively higher cost.

smokincoin

Anyone have three pics of the same type coin with all three, PR/CA/DCAM, designations that show, a visible, difference?

sfs2002usa

Here's a comparison of my previous post. I like both coins!

CarlWohlforth

These photos give you an idea of the difference. The first has some toning and all were taken under different conditions so they are not exactly comparable.

PCGS PR 67:


PCGS PR 68 Cameo, frostier than some with the same grade:


PCGS PR 68 Deep Cameo:

SkyMan

Buy what appeals to you. It would be nice to know the series we are talking about as we might be better able to fine tune your approach.

Unless you are talking the Proof issues of the 1930's, '40's and early '50's (where cameos are rare and priced accordingly) IMO a nice cameo coin blows away a nice brilliant coin.

Russ

Russ, NCNE

Mercury10c

<< <i>It may be better in the ranking, but it isn't necessarily better in reality. >>


I thought it was blatantly obvious that I was referring to the registry rankings,
especially since I said "For someone putting together the finest registry set..."
I'll try to be a little more clear next time.

Russ

<< <i><< It may be better in the ranking, but it isn't necessarily better in reality. >>

I thought it was blatantly obvious that I was referring to the registry rankings, >>



It was obvious to me, but not necessarily obvious to the wide range of people - newbies included - who might happen by and read this thread.

Russ, NCNE

ProofRainbowRoosevelt

If your starting up a proof collection, I would first off stay away from the earlier proofs 1965-2008. Your gonna pay a lot for a DCAM, but as the pop increases the prices will drop like bricks. I would almost aways go with a DCAM over CAM, but it all depends on the price, eye appeal and population.

All of your example questions are good, but without seeing the coins in hand it is impossible to choose. Buy the coin, not the holder is the only advise I can give you.

GoldenEyeNumismatics

It all ahs to do with your own personal liking.

BTW, the term CAM and DCAM cannot be used as prefixes to a grade. All proof coins are simply PR, and then if they have the Cameo (CAM) or Deep Cameo (DCAM) characteristic then you use the CAM and DCAM abbreviations as a suffix.