Proof coins vs Uncirculated coins

As a coin collector, it is important to know the difference between uncirculated and proof coins. As the name suggests, uncirculated coins are just that – uncirculated. They are of the same quality as circulated coins. The only difference being they have never been circulated in the market publicly. They may be packed in a sealed mint case and provided with a certificate. If preserved correctly, there should not be any visible scratches or marks on an uncirculated coin.

Proof coins on the other hand are of much higher quality than an uncirculated coins. They are specially minted to be a collector’s item and are never circulated in the market. Originally proof coins were used as a specimen coins. Before minting a new coin, few proof sets were prepared for approval by the King or the government. Later these sets were auctioned or sold off to collectors. About 200 years ago, these sets started attracting more and more attention. As a results many mints started minting proof sets for collectors.

In order to understand the difference between proof coins and uncirculated coins, it is important to know the process of coin minting. Coins are minted using a die that is struck on a metal base (usually round). Generally two dies strike a coin base on two faces (front face- obverse and back face- reverse).

A proof coin’s die is treated with special chemicals. The high points in the die are treated with acids where as the background (base) of the die is polished to give it a mirror like look. This gives a mirror finish to the proof coin in the base and a matt finish to the raise part of the coin face. Also proof coins are generally struck twice or more times to make sure that even the smallest elements of the design are clearly visible. Generally Proof coins production is manually handled i.e. they are fed into the machine for strike and then removed from the machine manually. Each proof coin is manually inspected before being packed. This results in a 99% flawless coin.

Although it is natural to assume that proof coins are more expensive compared to uncirculated coins, it may not be the case all the time. Proof coins also have a special mint marks to suggest they are proof coins.

Uncirculated Coins

A £2 coin Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Pack has been produce by Royal Mint UK to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale death as well as the 150th anniversary of the publication of her Notes on Nursing falls in 2010. During the Crimean War Florence Nightingale took a team of nurses to Constantinople to care for the ill and critically injured troops and won the undying respect of the nation. The Informative presentation folder recounting her remarkable life and achievements are strictly limited to 25,000 worldwide.






The obverse of the coin bear the effigy of the Queen by the Rank-Broadley coins bear the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF. On the reverse show an image of an outstretched hand, with a second and third hand as if taking a pulse, surrounded by the inscription 1820 - FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE - 1910. The edge inscription: 150 YEARS OF NURSING.

Florence Nightingale, (12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was an English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence during the Crimean War for her pioneering work in nursing, and was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night to tend injured soldiers. Nightingale laid the foundation of professional nursing with the establishment, in 1860, of her nursing school at St Thomas' Hospital in London, the first secular nursing school in the world. The Nightingale Pledge taken by new nurses was named in her honour, and the annual International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on her birthday.