Expert: PAPAJACK - 5/26/2009

Question
How can I determine if a silver dollar proof is a cameo or deep cameo finish. Must that be determined by a professional?

Answer
Hello William,            

The Cameo Effect is the contrast between the frosted obverse and the Mirror finish on the background of the coins image devices.
The words used to describe the condition vary from one grading company to another.

For the ultimate cameo condition the coin is described as black and white since there will be a 90% to 100% difference in the reflectivity of the two surface finishes.

You may be confusing the Cameo Quality with the "Proof Like" and "Mirror-Like" descriptions used with coin grading.
A mirror-like finish is reflective while a Deep Mirror finish will reflect well enough for you to see the letters from a page from several inches away without distortion.

You can examine your coin in a good light and compare it to the contrast of a known specimen you have for the cameo quality.

And in the same way hold the coin at an angle from a page of a book, see how reflective the polished field is. Try reading the letters at one inch away, then 2 inches then three etcetera.

I hope this information helps.

Good Luck,

PapaJack