Most of the coins you will find on Silvermania.cz are 99.9% (.999) or 99.99% (.9999) pure.
Coins are most often in BU or PROOF design. What do these abbreviations mean?
On this page, we aim to introduce you to the quality, perhaps better to say, the execution of coins, so that you can set your expectations correctly and be able to choose the right coins for your collections or investment portfolio.
In the photo: PROOF on the left, BU on the right
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated)
Uncirculated coins, sometimes you can also meet the designation MS (Mint State) on certified coins or Uncirculated, which is a slightly lower grade of BU. This is the standard design of the coins and only means that the coins were not in circulation. From production, they may bear traces of contact with other coins when sliding into bags or storing in a tube. Various scuffs, chipped edges, small individual scratches. These properties are fine. Having a flawless BU coin from the tube is a fluke.
From a collector's point of view, it is good to realize that some coins are placed directly by the mint in numismatic capsules. For these coins, we can assume minor scratches from production. Typically, these are coins from Perth Mint, Scottsdale Mint, Germania Mint, and others.
As a rule, uncirculated coins tend to be orders of magnitude cheaper than PROOF coins. A flawless surface is a condition only for PROOF coins.
Silver BU coins are metallic and silver, like any metal, has its own physicochemical properties and reactions. It is common for silver coins to have milk spots or oxidation stains immediately after production or after a longer period of time, as well as various color tints from yellow, iridescent to brown to black (sulphitation of the surface caused by sulfur compounds in air). Most ailments can be cleaned, but we do not recommend it, you can damage the coin. These are only superficial changes! Coins can be cleaned at any time, but you cannot repair a damaged coin.
To preserve the surface of the coin for as long as possible, we recommend placing it in a numismatic capsule as soon as possible. And never grab a coin with your bare hands by the surface.
At the same time, it is good to understand that with ordinary coins from a tube, you do not have to deal with encapsulation and preservation of the beautiful surface at all :-).
PROOF Quality
First-class PROOF coins were originally minted in a small number and served as samples for approval by the Mintmaster or sovereign and for special occasions. As coin collecting became popular, the number of PROOF specimens minted increased. In the past few decades, these coins have seen a great rise in fame and mintage for collectors.
These coins are minted using various techniques using polished dies and are mainly characterized by a very shiny mirror surface, which is most often achieved with diamond powder. However, the result is already born with a careful selection of the semi-finished product. PROOF coins are generally hand inspected coin after coin before they leave the mint. Each coin must be in TOP condition. Thanks to the polished surface, they achieve better surface contrast.
PROOFs with a shiny surface are difficult to photograph. They often show black color in the photos. The coin is of course a beautiful silver, the black is caused by the reflection on the shiny surface.
If not stated otherwise in the description, you can expect from the "punch" that it comes in a capsule, with a certificate and in a box.
Antique (Antique finish)
Special design category. This is a targeted oxidation of silver, or another technique that gives silver an ancient appearance. Antique finish is used by mints for direct production or aging of BU coins. The Antique version then perfectly protects coins from natural oxidation or milk spots. It's the best way to avoid them. Antique finish coins are produced in lower quantities than BU and are more valuable.
Gilding, Black Ruthenim/Platinum and other ennobling
The refining of silver coins with another expensive (usually rarer) metal is several decades old. However, it has experienced a big boom in the last 10 years. Collectors demand it. On the one hand, due to the increase in value and originality of the coin, and on the other hand, due to the attractiveness of the appearance. They stand out in a display case and are very popular as a gift for both collectors and non-collectors.
Yellow 24 carat gold is most often used, black ruthenium is used in the pendant, then rhodium, palladium, rose gold, etc. When refining a BU coin, this method cannot remove or eliminate oxidation or milk spots. Although some Czech websites state it incorrectly.
In conclusion, for the adequate enjoyment of coin collecting, we recommend especially beginning collectors to familiarize themselves with these facts and specify their realistic expectations. In particular, don't expect PROOF coin properties from BU coins.