Proof And Mint

[womblepatra]

Hi

Im new to coin collecting and was wondering about proof and mint sets, does proof mean that the coins were not ever for public and does mint sets mean can only be found in sets , and that these are never found in circulation

[TomGoodheart]

Hi

Im new to coin collecting and was wondering about proof and mint sets, does proof mean that the coins were not ever for public and does mint sets mean can only be found in sets , and that these are never found in circulation

Welcome!

"Proof" is a type of coin manufacture. Basically the dies (the metal outlines of the design used to strike the coins) are specially prepared, usually with mirror like fields (the flat bits of the design). Proof coins allow you to see the design in full detail. Sometimes proofs differ from circulation strikes. But sometimes it's difficult to tell a proof that's not cased from a good early strike from unworn dies.

"Mint" can be exchanged with "uncirculated" and just means that the coin hasn't knocked around. However coins aren't always well struck even straight off the production line. Some designs are generally shallow (the Mary Gillick bust on early Elizabeth II coins for example) and coins can pick up knocks ('bag marks') as they are packed for circulation. The Royal Mint specimen sets are 'mint'. But then you can find BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) coins in change if you're lucky. I got a 2013 £1 like that the other day.

As to mint and proof in circulation, well, there are certainly examples of proof coins that have been taken from sets and spent. Sometimes circulated examples are actually rarer than the unused coins! As far as I know the coins in ordinary sets are pretty much the same as circulating coins, just they've been boxed up before they've had a chance to see any wear.

That help?

Edited March 1, 2014 by TomGoodheart

[womblepatra]

Thank you for replying,

so am i right in saying that the

1972 1p which says its in proof set only ,that means i wont find one in my change

and that the

1982 2p which says None (in sets only) that i maybe lucky and find one in my change

[Rob]

Thank you for replying,

so am i right in saying that the

1972 1p which says its in proof set only ,that means i wont find one in my change

and that the

1982 2p which says None (in sets only) that i maybe lucky and find one in my change

You could find either in change if someone has broken up the set and spent them.

[Peckris]

Thank you for replying,

so am i right in saying that the

1972 1p which says its in proof set only ,that means i wont find one in my change

and that the

1982 2p which says None (in sets only) that i maybe lucky and find one in my change

It's unlikely but not absolutely impossible. However I've never seen one in change. It would be a better move to get the two sets I think. The 1972 set is particularly desirable as only the 25p was ever issued outside the proof sets, so it's your only chance of getting a set of coins dated 1972.

The 1982 BU set is much cheaper to buy so perhaps that's the place to start? The coins in BU sets are struck to a very high standard, though they aren't proofs.

Oh, and Welcome to the forums , by the way

Edited March 1, 2014 by Peckris

[Accumulator]

Welcome to the forum!