Expert: PAPAJACK - 2/27/2008

Question
Are all proof coins graded at either 70 or 69

Answer
Hello Howard,                                  

Most Modern Proof Coins will grade 68 or 70 depending on the company you have grade them. The mint facilities have a pretty good record lately of delivering nice specimens. Now there is always the question of how mirror-like it is and how heavy the frosted image, leading to categories like Ultra-Cameo or Deep-Cameo and adding to the grade of a modern proof. You will see higher values assigned to coins with these attributes.

But there are no guarantees that all modern proofs will grade that high. Indeed many coins come from the mint with marks or scratches that will lower the grade.
And it is rare to find coins graded proof-66 and higher that were made prior to 1968.
So in short not all Proof-Coins grade 69 and 70, many do grade less than 68.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack