Who 'coined' the term "PROOF" coin ? - - 9th Director of the US Mint ?
1630Boston
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The public sale of proof coins as we know them today apparently commenced around 1858, during the tenure of James Ross Snowden, 9th Director of the Mint, and he is given credit for first using the term "proof. "
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Now there is 'proof' of the birth of the term 'proof'... I would say it was applied as indicated when the word is used as a verb - verb (used with object)
to test; examine for flaws, errors, etc.; check against a standard or standards.
Of course, as applied to coins, it has evolved to mean much more. Cheers, RickO
No, he adopted the term for use of these coins. The term was in wide use in the production of paper money already.
"Proof" was the term used for the first impressions from a printing plate pulled to check the plate for errors, problems and approval. It was in common use by printers and can be found in the signature spaces of 1815 era proof sheets. "Proof" and "Specimen" were interchangeable terms for printing at the time but came to mean different things in banknote printing by the 1860s. A proof was a one sided impression on soft paper while a Specimen was printed on bank note paper on both sides, more like to finished note for circulation.
As mentioned, "proof" was a term used in 18th century publishing in the US, and originated in Great Britain. Robert Scot engraved proof copies prior to his Mint appointment, in the first US published encyclopedia, Thomas Dobson's Encyclopædia with proof copies of copperplate engraved illustrations available for inspection "at the Stone House on Second Street" (Philadelphia). I believe Master Coin was the first term used to describe a proof coin from the Mint, but I am not sure of the first year of this - definitely not before 1825. Proof was used in the Robert Morris diary around 1785 for publishing. "Proof" coins were described in Great Britain well before US.
Somewhere during my coin collecting run, I Have heard the term "Proof" to mean "Proof of Coinage" for the year on the coin.
Just something I've heard along the way and wanted to throw it in.
Pete
One exception is that saints that weren't up to proof standards but otherwise acceptable, were put into circulation.
Not sure if this happened with other coins.
My Saint Set
Rick Tomaska coined(no pun intended) the phrase "Proof Cameo"
Ever Onward
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