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When did intentional frosting start?

errormavenerrormaven Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I know intentional frosting of proof dies began in the early 1970's but I was wondering if it was introduced gradually or we can tie it to a specific year. Thanks for your help. -- Mike Diamond
Mike Diamond is an error coin writer and researcher. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those held by any organization I am a member of.

Comments

  • Studio60Studio60 Posts: 148
    1972 comes to mind but I suppose the Mint damped up frost up to 1976.
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Probably Boulton and Watt in 1797
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  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,647 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My guess would be circa 1978, but I can't say for certain. I do known that the Bicentennial Proof coins were not all Cameo pieces. The "constant cameo" came in when the mint started to plate the Proof dies with Chromium. That allowed the frosting to last longer.
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  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In recent times, if you are looking when they went to making sure all Proof coins have frosting, then I guess when they switched to chrome-plated dies. 1972?
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  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 23,130 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm wondering if it didn't evolve as the Mint became aware of the fact that some collectors were reporting "frosted" specimens. I seem to remember the 1969 Proof Sets being better than the 1968 sets in terms of strike and frost, but I think that it was a few years after that when they were all supplied as cameos.
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  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭
    The 1971-S Silver Proof IKEs were intentionally frosted.

    For Proof Sets, I'd bet 1972 was the first year given the abundance of DCAM 1972-S Kennedy's and the significant lack of DCAM 1971-S Kennedy's.
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  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    When did they start putting the sets into hard cases there was a reason they did that. IE from 1968 on they were trying for all proof coins in cameo finish.

    Added that about 1972 they finally got there act together with the plated dies.
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  • RWBRWB Posts: 8,082 ✭
    Some working dies had been chromium plated at least as early as 1941.
    As for the 1968-S proof set cases - I remember it being an attempt to make collectors feel good about paying a lot more for the proof sets.
  • errormavenerrormaven Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭
    Thanks, everyone. Sounds like it was a gradual introduction. Can't say I'm a big fan, as the design details look wretched under magnification.
    Mike Diamond is an error coin writer and researcher. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those held by any organization I am a member of.
  • RWBRWB Posts: 8,082 ✭
    Sandblasting was often used for medals to give the design greater depth. Same for sandblasted coins.
  • TexasNationalsTexasNationals Posts: 3,837 ✭
    Yep, min went full out in 68 after the sms sets to make collectors happy and sell more proof sets.

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