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involved "acid-dipping" the dies before they were polished. The solution used during the 1950 to 1970 period, a coin bath consisting of 5% nitric acid/95% water, was used to create an acid-etched appearance on the supply die. When the die was subsequently polished and buffed, the recessed portions of the coin die, the devices, retained their acid-etched cameo. The very first strikes off one of these new dies would possess a gorgeous, supply intense cameo effect very similar in quality to the proofs minted coin today. The supply raised portions of these coin early strikes, the devices (on the Franklin half, these would be the bust of Franklin, the lettering, and date on the obverse, and the Liberty bell, eagle, and lettering on the reverse) would display a snow-white cameo effect that would supply stand in stark contrast to the deep-mirrored fields surrounding them. The flawless, jewel-like quality of the best of these cameos almost look like works of art rather than mere coins! Indeed, to most collectors, these coins are works of art! The frosted devices of these early cameo dies were quite delicate - one could easily scratch a bit of frost from the die with one''s fingernail, coin and were the first part of the die to wear. Each
successive coin struck from one of these dies would exhibit somewhat less supply and coin cameo contrast than the coin before. Eventually, the intense pressure of die on planchet would wear the devices supply to the same smooth, brilliant appearance as the surrounding fields of the coin. These subsequent coins, brilliant proofs, coin have no discernible contrast between the devices and fields. They are also far more common than the earlier cameo strikes. In recognition of the collector supply demand for these cameos, the mint began experimenting with sandblasting techniques in the early-mid coin 1970''s which helped create a much more intense cameo effect. They also began chromeplating the dies to give them added durability. As a result of these new techniques, proof dies today can strike supply many hundreds of exceptional "black & white" cameos before they begin to wear. What is somewhat astonishing, however, is that if one is patient, coin and fortunate, one can occasionally find cameos minted from the earlier 1950 to 1970 era that possess the intense cameo contrast, supply quality, and eye-appeal of these later proofs! These very early strikes, depending on the year, are obviously coin quite rare. When one also supply considers the inferior nature of the proof
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