When examining coins, one of the fundamental aspects that distinguishes them is their “strike type.” Coin strike refers to the method used to mint a coin, influencing its appearance, intended purpose, and ultimately, its value to collectors. For anyone asking how do you determine strike type of coin, understanding the three primary types—mint strike, proof strike, and burnished strike—is crucial. Each type possesses distinctive characteristics resulting from unique production processes.
1. Mint Strike (Business or Circulation Strike)
The mint strike, often called a business strike or circulation strike, is the most common type of coin produced. These coins are designed for everyday commerce and general circulation as legal tender.
Intended Use and Production
Coins with a mint strike are produced for general circulation. Their primary function is to facilitate transactions, meaning they are expected to experience wear and tear during their lifespan.
The production process for mint strike coins is designed for efficiency and mass production. They are typically struck once using standard coining presses. The dies used for minting circulation coins are unpolished, meaning they do not have the mirror-like finish seen in other strike types. This standard process, as noted by Coin Advisor, prioritizes quantity over highly refined aesthetics.
Appearance and Availability
A mint strike coin exhibits a uniform finish across its surface. It generally lacks the highly reflective, mirror-like qualities found in proof coins. The designs may appear simpler and bolder due to the single strike and unpolished dies. The level of detail can vary based on the condition of the dies used; older or heavily used dies may produce coins with slightly less defined features.
Mint strike coins are the most common type available. They constitute the vast majority of coins encountered in everyday transactions and are readily available from banks and retail exchanges.
Mintmark and Examples
Mint strike coins may or may not bear a mintmark, depending on the specific mint and era of production. For instance, many older U.S. coins from the Philadelphia Mint did not carry a mintmark, while those from Denver or San Francisco did.
Examples include almost any coin you receive as change, such as a U.S. quarter, dime, or penny from general circulation.
2. Proof Strike
Proof strike coins represent the pinnacle of minting craftsmanship. They are produced with the highest level of precision and care, primarily for collectors and numismatic purposes rather than general circulation.
Intended Use and Production
Proof coins are specifically produced for collectors. Their purpose is to showcase the artistry of the coin’s design and the technical capabilities of the mint. They are often part of special collector sets or commemorative releases.
The production process for proof coins is significantly more involved and meticulous than for business strikes. They are struck multiple times—often two or more times—using specially prepared and highly polished dies. The planchets (the blank metal discs before striking) are also specially prepared and polished. These coins are struck under higher pressure, which ensures that all design elements are fully brought up and sharp. The U.S. Mint states that proof coins typically receive the highest quality strike possible, reflecting their premium nature.
Appearance and Availability
The most distinctive characteristic of a proof strike coin is its appearance. They typically feature a mirror-like background, known as the “field,” which contrasts sharply with frosted or matte design elements, known as “devices.” This creates a striking visual effect, often referred to as a “cameo” appearance where the frosted details are heavily contrasted against the mirrored background, as described by Bullion Exchanges. The designs on proof coins are exceptionally sharp, detailed, and often exhibit a three-dimensional quality due to the multiple strikes and high pressure.
Proof coins are produced in limited quantities compared to business strikes. They are usually available directly from mints or through authorized dealers and are often part of special collector sets or commemorative programs.
Mintmark and Examples
Since 1968, U.S. Proof coins typically carry the “S” mintmark, indicating they were minted at the San Francisco Mint, which has traditionally been responsible for proof coinage. Before 1968, other mints also produced proofs, and their mintmarks would appear accordingly.
Examples of proof strike coins include the Proof Gold American Eagle, Proof Platinum American Eagle, and Proof Silver American Eagle, among many other commemorative issues and special sets.
3. Burnished Strike (or Uncirculated with a Matte Finish)
The burnished strike is another type of coin produced for collectors, distinguished by its unique matte or satin-like finish. This strike type offers an alternative aesthetic to the mirror-like finish of proofs.
Intended Use and Production
Burnished strike coins are created specifically for collectors. Their appeal lies in their distinct matte-like finish, which differentiates them from both circulation strikes and traditional proofs.
The production process for burnished coins involves preparing the planchets before striking. The planchets are polished or “burnished,” often using a rotating drum with polishing media, to create a smooth, satiny surface. The coins may be struck multiple times, similar to proofs, depending on the desired outcome and the specific mint’s process for achieving the characteristic matte finish. This pre-strike preparation of the planchet is key to their unique appearance.
Appearance and Availability
The defining characteristic of a burnished strike coin is its matte-like finish, sometimes described as a satin finish. This finish results in a smooth, soft appearance across the coin’s surface, distinct from the shininess of proof coins or the standard luster of uncirculated business strike coins. The details on burnished coins are typically well-defined, though they lack the strong contrast of a cameo proof.
Burnished coins are less common than business strikes and are often part of special collector sets or limited mintage releases. Their unique finish makes them desirable for collectors seeking something different from standard issues.
Mintmark and Examples
Post-2006, burnished American Eagle coins, for instance, include a mintmark. This helps collectors identify them as distinct from their bullion counterparts.
A prime example is the American Silver Eagle burnished coins, which were introduced in 2006. These coins quickly gained popularity among collectors for their distinctive finish.
Additional Considerations for Determining Strike Type
Beyond the three primary strike types, other factors and concepts help in understanding how do you determine strike type of coin and appreciate the nuances of coin production and grading.
Special Mint Sets (SMS)
During a period from 1965 to 1967, the U.S. Mint faced a shortage of proof blanks. To meet collector demand, they produced coins for Special Mint Sets (SMS). These coins represent a hybrid between business strikes and proofs. SMS coins typically feature a matte or satin finish, similar in some ways to burnished coins, but with sharper details than regular circulation coins. They bridge the gap between mass-produced and collector-focused issues from that specific era.
Differentiating Strike from Wear
For beginners, one of the trickiest aspects of determining strike type is distinguishing between a weak strike and actual wear on a coin. Wear occurs when a coin has been in circulation, resulting in a loss of detail, flatness in design elements, and a diminished luster. A weak strike, conversely, means the coin was not fully struck up during the minting process, leading to incomplete or soft details, even if the coin is uncirculated. CoinGrading.com clarifies that a weakly struck uncirculated coin will still retain its original luster and have rounded features, whereas a worn coin will show flatness and a loss of luster. Learning this distinction is fundamental for accurately assessing a coin’s condition and strike.
Professional Grading and Strike Designations
Professional coin grading organizations, such as the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), use specific designations to denote a coin’s strike type and quality. These designations are crucial for collectors and investors in determining a coin’s market value.
- Strike Type Codes: These organizations use two-letter codes preceding a coin’s numeric grade to indicate its strike type.
- MS (Mint State): This code is used for business strike coins that have never been in circulation and retain their original mint luster.
- PF or PR (Proof): This code indicates a proof strike coin.
- SP (Specimen): This designation is sometimes used for coins that do not fit neatly into MS or PF categories but exhibit characteristics of a special strike, often with a finish between business strike and proof. Burnished coins might sometimes be categorized under SP or receive a specific “Burnished” designation depending on the grading service.
- Strike Characters and Qualifiers: Beyond the main strike type, grading services also use “strike characters” or qualifiers to describe specific features related to the quality of the strike or the coin’s appearance. These help to further refine the assessment of how do you determine strike type of coin in a professional context.
- BN, RB, RD (Brown, Red-Brown, Red): These characters are used for copper coins to describe the amount of original red luster remaining. “RD” indicates full original red luster, suggesting a strong strike and excellent preservation.
- “Full Bands” (FB): This designation is applied to Mercury Dimes and Roosevelt Dimes where the horizontal bands on the fasces (the bundle of rods on the reverse) are fully struck and separated. This indicates a strong strike that brought up all the design details.
- “Full Head” (FH): For Standing Liberty Quarters, this designation signifies that the head of Liberty, including the details of her hair and face, is fully struck and well-defined.
- “Full Bell Lines” (FBL): Used for Franklin Half Dollars, indicating that the horizontal lines on the Liberty Bell are fully struck and complete.
- “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) or “Ultra Cameo” (UCAM): These terms are used for proof coins to describe an exceptionally strong contrast between the mirrored fields and frosted devices, indicating a high-quality proof strike.
By understanding these professional grading terms, collectors gain a deeper appreciation for the subtleties of coin production and the criteria used to evaluate a coin’s quality. This knowledge is an important part of answering how do you determine strike type of coin with precision.
Conclusion
Understanding how do you determine strike type of coin is fundamental for anyone involved in numismatics. The three primary strike types—mint, proof, and burnished—each have distinct production methods, appearances, and intended uses. Mint strike coins are the workhorses of commerce, produced for circulation. Proof coins are artistic masterpieces, crafted for collectors with exceptional detail and mirror-like fields. Burnished coins offer a unique matte finish, also catering to collectors.
Beyond these core types, recognizing hybrid strikes like SMS coins, differentiating between a weak strike and wear, and familiarizing oneself with professional grading designations further refine a collector’s ability to assess and appreciate coins. By grasping these key characteristics and purposes, you can better identify and appreciate the craftsmanship involved in coin creation and the nuances that make each coin unique. This knowledge equips collectors to make informed decisions and truly appreciate the artistry and technical skill behind every coin.
How to tell what strike a coin is?
From my experience, Strike characters help describe the strike of a coin beyond its numeric grade. You will find them listed after the numeric score and they are abbreviated. For example, an MS-67 1916 Mercury dime is typically listed as MS-67 FB but may read MS67FB without hyphens or spaces.
How to identify first strike coins?
I can help with that. The first day of issue designation is only available to bulk submissions. And select trade.
How to tell a double strike coin?
I can help with that. If a coin fails to be properly ejected from the striking chamber after being stuck and the dies come down again to strike the coin again, a double strike ocurs. Double strikes can occur with the second strike off center or on-center.