Condition Census for Proofs?
JOsborne
Posts: 115 ✭✭✭
Are the condition census listings solely for business strikes? Has a CS ever been established for proofs? I'm interested in early large cent proofs.
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Comments
It's a shame that someone like Bob Grellman does not post on these boards. He might be the only guy who can help you. Most of the early copper guys concentrate on the business strikes. The Proofs are not given a lot of play because (1) they are generally rare, except for perhaps the 1857 large cents, and (2) copper people generally like old coins that were "down in the trenches." Coins that were made for collectors or presentation are of less interest to many of those collectors, unless it is a Proof only date. "Coin Facts" might give you a place to start.
Another complication is color. Is a piece of Red copper superior to a very well preserved piece with Brown surfaces. How many grading points does "Red" trump over a Brown piece that gets more grading points? Most early copper pieces are Brown or at best R&B so color comes less into play.
A "condition census" implies that all members of the subject universe are known. That is possible with some early copper varieties, but not with most coins.