I have a set of series I 1 oz. Lunars all graded MS-69 NGC...now I learn there are proof coins for each year?? How do I tell the difference between proof and business strikes so I can start a collection of proofs for this series? Excuse me if this has already been discussed, but I'd like to know. Some of my coins have a "P" but are not graded PR or PF..... I'm confused. BTW...by yank I mean USA, not Britain.
The "P" will mean the Perth Mint pressed it, as opposed to the "C"(anberra) Royal Australian Mint Your speciman coins should have a shiny animal on a brushed background. Proof is a brushed animal on a shiny background. Proof should also come with a box and COA.
Brits aren't referred to as yanks (to my knowledge). Only those from the US of A are called yanks so we understood.
Proof Coins have a shiny finish and come in a plush red box with a certificate of authenticity. Good luck trying to collect all 12 series 1 proofs, only 2,500 of each year were made and ones like the Dragon are extremely scarce. Expect to pay $130+ a coin.
Thanks for your imput...NapthaleneMan, thanks for the clarification...in the Southern US "yank" has a totally different meaning.... I am not concerned so much with the cost, but are most proofs sold with the box and COA rather than slabbed?? You guys are great with the info and I watch each post with interest for information... You guys RULE.... thanks coinhawke
All proofs are only sold as: coin, plush box, COA, and outer cardboard box. If you come across a Lunar coin that is just the Proof coin on it own, at some stage it has been removed from its original plush box and the coa is missing. Without the original packaging, coa etc a proof coin is worth considerably less to a collector.
The difference is pretty big. By the way, guys on this side of the world arn't too big on grading. Most of them don't even know who NGC and PCGS are. But I'm in the U.S. and I collect the Lunar Kilo Proofs. You can see that I have the #1 sets for both series in the NGC registry (not that I have much competition lol).
I've only recently discovered Australian Lunars but the thing I've noted is a lot of people are selling on ebay BU coins listed as proof. I reckon they think because there is a P stamped on it its a proof and its not, the P means Perth Mint as already pointed out above. Don't think this a proof, is it..... http://cgi.ebay.com/1999-Proof-Aust...059?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf5553aeb I'm sure the experts will confirm. Rockin'
I only know NGC and PCGS as those coins that have been slabbed and hence make the stack considerably larger to store. I avoid these coins on ebay also because they cost more. Very little benefit in my view.
good info here, I am jealous of your set of series 1's in NGC MS-69. I was looking into collecting the very same thing myself, series 1 NGC MS69 but I'm sticking with series 2's which I can at least find readily.
Im unaware of any other meaning for Yank other than being short for Yankee. Unless of course you mean Seppo which is another matter entirely
One thing I'm not sure of though. I've seen ads here for people selling or looking for "specimen" coins, what are they then, are they something different to Proof or Reverse proof? Thanks Like this... http://forums.silverstackers.com/topic-6313-wanted-1-oz-specimen-kookaburras.html
I realize Brits and many others refer to Americans as Yanks, but domestically, Yankee is someone from up North, specifically New England but the North and upper Midwest generally. Don't call people from the Southern US Yankees to their face or it might land you in trouble haha. It is one of those strange words that can be affectionate, neutral, or derogatory depending on who is saying it and where in the country they are In the South it is definitely not a positive connotation! See what I mean?
I guess it's a bit like mate in Australia. Tone dictates all. Note to self.... look up meanings of Yank and Seppo.
