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What’s in a finish?
- Jan 04, 2024
- Learn
- 2 MINUTES READ
Every coin has a “finish”—a final bit of texturing and polish to give it shine and visual interest. Not so long ago, coins had just two kinds of finishes: brilliant or frosted (or some combination of those). Today, coins can have a multitude of textures and patterns—applied to the smallest areas of a design with pinpoint accuracy. Take a closer look at how different finishes can radically alter the visual impact of a single coin design.
![Learn](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/group.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
![Learn](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/group.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
Every coin has a “finish”—a final bit of texturing and polish to give it shine and visual interest. Not so long ago, coins had just two kinds of finishes: brilliant or frosted (or some combination of those). Today, coins can have a multitude of textures and patterns—applied to the smallest areas of a design with pinpoint accuracy. Take a closer look at how different finishes can radically alter the visual impact of a single coin design.
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/bu.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/bu.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
Brilliant uncirculated
This basic finish is used on most of Canada’s standard circulation coins. With a brilliant uncirculated finish, both the engraved design (relief) and the background (field) are shiny.
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/proof.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/proof.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
Proof
This finish was designed to show off the most stunning engraving. It’s usually reserved for prestige coins. Proof-finished coins have a flawless, mirror-like polish on the background to set off the relief. Engraved designs can be treated with a variety of frosted finishes, each specially selected to accentuate each feature.
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/matteproof.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/matteproof.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
Matte proof
This finish is unique to the Royal Canadian Mint. It’s similar to a standard proof, only with a satin finish on the background instead of a high-shine polish. It gives coins a slightly more aged appearance while still allowing for various textures on the relief portion.
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/reverseproof.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/reverseproof.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
Reverse proof
This finish is much like the regular proof finish except (as the name suggests) reversed: the background is matte while the engraved relief shines with a glass-like polish. It’s like “portrait mode” for a coin because the background recedes to keep the focus on the subject.
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/specimen.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
![heroblock image](/globalassets/learn/blog/2020/whats-in-a-finish/specimen.jpg?hash=638392852750000000)
Specimen
This finish was originally designed to shine a spotlight on our extraordinary technical capabilities. It features precisely machined matte lines for the background and a highly detailed finish on the relief. Originally, the relief elements had an exclusively brilliant finish, but today our specimen coins feature a wide range of frosting and textures.