Roman Finish Proof

Comments

• drwstr123 Posts: 7,049 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 17, 2008 11:22PM

  There's not much known about the Roman Finish process.

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• RWB Posts: 8,082 ✭

  October 17, 2008 11:40PM

  Gold proofs made for collectors in 1909-1910 were produced by striking the coin on a planchet using a hydraulic medal press. The resulting surface was satin in texture since it represented the surface of a new die before stress induced metal flow produced luster. These are now called “satin proofs” because that best describes their appearance. The obsolete term “Roman proof” is meaningless. Note that there was no post-striking alteration or special process.
  
  If a satin proof was sandblasted at the mint, it became a “sandblast proof” (called “matte proof” in many post-WW-II auctions, but always called sandblast during their own time and through the 1930s). The sandblasting was done by hand so every proof is slightly different. This was the only post-striking process ever applied to proof coins.
  
  1921 and 1922 Peace dollars also come in sandblast and satin proof versions. These were made in exactly the same way as the earlier gold pieces.
  
  For additional information read Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1908 distributed by Wizard Coin Supply, or Guidebook for Peace Dollars 1921-1964 available from Whitman in November.
  

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• micmt Posts: 671

  October 18, 2008 12:40AM

  Thanks rwb for the additional info.

  "One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making new discoveries" -A.A. Milne

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• RWB Posts: 8,082 ✭

  October 18, 2008 12:49AM

  If you pick up the three Renaissance books (1905-1908, 1909-1915, and 1916-1921), you'll find a lot of myths and misconceptions debunked. You’ll also find the only complete and accurate information on how the new coinage designs were created, pattern pieces, and their initial production.

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• messydesk Posts: 20,456 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 18, 2008 1:50AM

  
  
  << <i>If a satin proof was sandblasted at the mint, it became a “sandblast proof” (called “matte proof” in many post-WW-II auctions, but always called sandblast during their own time and through the 1930s). The sandblasting was done by hand so every proof is slightly different. This was the only post-striking process ever applied to proof coins. >>
  
  
  I've seen an interesting sandblast 1921 Morgan dollar. It was accompanied by a letter from the mint acknowledging a request for a silver dollar of the "old type" with a sandblast finish. I don't know of the authenticity of the letter, but the coin was made in late 1921, as it has the D2 (16 berry) reverse hub. "Old Type" wouldn't have made sense earlier in the year when they were using the D1 reverse hub.

  John
  Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution

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• RWB Posts: 8,082 ✭

  October 18, 2008 1:56AM

  One of the objections to sandblasted coins made by Philadelphia Mint superintendent Adam Joyce, was that anyone could sandblast a satin proof or other coin at home with readily available equipment. I can't think of any reason for the mint to sandblast a 1921 Morgan dollar - proof Morgans were only issued as brilliant (mirror) proofs - never sandblasted.
  
  PS: “Old type” wouldn’t have made sense until after the new Peace dollar was announced on December 23, 1921. The berry count or new reverse hub (D-2) was unknown to collectors in 1921. Most 1921 Morgans didn't get out of treasury vaults for years.
  

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• RWB Posts: 8,082 ✭

  October 18, 2008 7:27AM

  PS: Satin proofs of 1909-1910 and later were called "bright" proofs by mint personnel. That term was not used by coin collectors.

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