{"id":215146,"date":"2026-03-02T11:44:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T10:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/coopers-coin-academy-pr-pf-und-ms-kurz-klar-und-ohne-fachchinesisch\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T05:11:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T03:11:10","slug":"coopers-coin-academy-pr-pf-und-ms-kurz-klar-und-ohne-fachchinesisch","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/coopers-coin-academy-pr-pf-and-ms-short-clear-and-without-jargon\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooper&#8217;s Coin Academy: PR, PF and MS &#8211; short, clear and without jargon"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coopers-Secret-Code-Cracking-the-PR-PF-and-MS-Mystery-1024x576.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coopers-Secret-Code-Cracking-the-PR-PF-and-MS-Mystery-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coopers-Secret-Code-Cracking-the-PR-PF-and-MS-Mystery-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coopers-Secret-Code-Cracking-the-PR-PF-and-MS-Mystery-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coopers-Secret-Code-Cracking-the-PR-PF-and-MS-Mystery-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coopers-Secret-Code-Cracking-the-PR-PF-and-MS-Mystery-150x85.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coopers-Secret-Code-Cracking-the-PR-PF-and-MS-Mystery-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coopers-Secret-Code-Cracking-the-PR-PF-and-MS-Mystery.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"An infographic titled \"Cooper's Secret Code: Cracking the PR, PF, and MS Mystery!\". On the left is an explanatory text about the preservation grades PR, PF, and MS. On the right is a black dog in a blue suit, sitting at a desk, raising one paw and holding a plush toy in its mouth. On the desk are open coin books, gold coins in slabs, and a magnifying glass.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\"><\/p>\n<article dir=\"auto\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:96a75585-990f-44c5-b126-8725c11d4ed3-372\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-10\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n<p data-start=\"78\" data-end=\"367\">Hi Collectors Club, Cooper here. \ud83d\udc3e<br data-start=\"110\" data-end=\"113\"\/> Today we&#8217;re talking about a topic everyone eventually sees on slabs and in offers: <strong data-start=\"192\" data-end=\"198\">PR<\/strong> , <strong data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"206\">PF<\/strong> , and <strong data-start=\"211\" data-end=\"217\">MS<\/strong> . They look similar, but mean completely different things. Once you understand that, you can read a grading label like a pro.  <\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"369\" data-end=\"372\">\n<h2 data-start=\"374\" data-end=\"428\">1) PR and PF &#8211; both are proofs, just written differently<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"430\" data-end=\"520\"><strong data-start=\"430\" data-end=\"436\">PR<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"441\" data-end=\"447\">PF<\/strong> both mean the same thing: <strong data-start=\"474\" data-end=\"483\">Proof<\/strong> (often called &#8220;Polierte Platte&#8221; in German).<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"522\" data-end=\"594\">\n<li data-start=\"522\" data-end=\"558\">\n<p data-start=\"524\" data-end=\"558\"><strong data-start=\"524\" data-end=\"530\">PR<\/strong> is usually associated with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong data-start=\"550\" data-end=\"558\">PCGS.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"559\" data-end=\"594\">\n<p data-start=\"561\" data-end=\"594\"><strong data-start=\"561\" data-end=\"567\">PF<\/strong> is usually found in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ngccoin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong data-start=\"587\" data-end=\"594\">NGC.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"596\" data-end=\"714\">Important: <strong data-start=\"605\" data-end=\"649\">PR vs. PF does not indicate a difference in quality.<\/strong> It&#8217;s simply the way the respective grading service uses the terminology.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"716\" data-end=\"746\">What does &#8220;proof&#8221; even mean?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"747\" data-end=\"876\">Proof coins are not &#8220;normal&#8221; coins that happen to look good. They are deliberately designed to appear truly elegant. <\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"1050\">\n<li data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"914\">\n<p data-start=\"880\" data-end=\"914\">blank prepared extra clean<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"952\">\n<p data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"952\">Stamps are particularly finely crafted<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"953\" data-end=\"985\">\n<p data-start=\"955\" data-end=\"985\">often more than one embossing strike<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"986\" data-end=\"1050\">\n<p data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1050\">Result: super sharp details and often <strong data-start=\"1028\" data-end=\"1050\">reflective surfaces<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"1052\" data-end=\"1096\">Cameo and Ultra Cameo &#8211; the wow contrast<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1097\" data-end=\"1139\">Proofs often include these additional details:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1141\" data-end=\"1282\">\n<li data-start=\"1141\" data-end=\"1200\">\n<p data-start=\"1143\" data-end=\"1200\"><strong data-start=\"1143\" data-end=\"1158\">Cameo (CAM)<\/strong> : The motif appears matte, the background is reflective.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1201\" data-end=\"1282\">\n<p data-start=\"1203\" data-end=\"1282\"><strong data-start=\"1203\" data-end=\"1225\">Ultra Cameo (UCAM)<\/strong> : the contrast is really strong, &#8220;frosty on mirror&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1368\">If you love Proof, then UCAM is usually what makes collectors say &#8220;Yes!&#8221; inside.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1373\">\n<h2 data-start=\"1375\" data-end=\"1427\">2) MS &#8211; Mint State: no proof, but still top-notch.<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1429\" data-end=\"1595\"><strong data-start=\"1429\" data-end=\"1435\">MS<\/strong> means <strong data-start=\"1445\" data-end=\"1459\">Mint State<\/strong> . These are coins from the regular minting that have <strong data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1526\">not been in circulation<\/strong> . So not proof, but in the best case still very fresh.  <\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1703\">\n<li data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1630\">\n<p data-start=\"1599\" data-end=\"1630\"><strong data-start=\"1599\" data-end=\"1630\">MS is not a proof mark.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1631\" data-end=\"1703\">\n<p data-start=\"1633\" data-end=\"1703\">MS coins often have more of a &#8220;rich coin shine&#8221; than a mirror look.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1745\">Why does MS sometimes leave small traces?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1746\" data-end=\"1800\">Because &#8220;not in circulation&#8221; does not mean &#8220;never touched&#8221;:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1801\" data-end=\"1905\">\n<li data-start=\"1801\" data-end=\"1840\">\n<p data-start=\"1803\" data-end=\"1840\">small traces of contact due to storage<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1841\" data-end=\"1874\">\n<p data-start=\"1843\" data-end=\"1874\">tiny marks from transport<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1905\">\n<p data-start=\"1877\" data-end=\"1905\">sometimes fine scratches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1907\" data-end=\"1971\">That&#8217;s normal. That&#8217;s precisely why a high MS level is so interesting. <\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1973\" data-end=\"1976\">\n<h2 data-start=\"1978\" data-end=\"2022\">3) The 70s scale &#8211; things get sporty here<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2024\" data-end=\"2106\">Proof (PR\/PF) and Mint State (MS) are usually rated on the same scale:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2108\" data-end=\"2233\">\n<li data-start=\"2108\" data-end=\"2138\">\n<p data-start=\"2110\" data-end=\"2138\"><strong data-start=\"2110\" data-end=\"2116\">70<\/strong> = practically perfect<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2203\">\n<p data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2203\"><strong data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2147\">69<\/strong> = minimal deviations, often only visible under magnification<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2204\" data-end=\"2233\">\n<p data-start=\"2206\" data-end=\"2233\">It will be more visible underneath.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2235\" data-end=\"2323\">But:<br data-start=\"2240\" data-end=\"2243\"\/> <strong data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2284\">PF69 is not &#8220;worse&#8221; than MS69.<\/strong> They are two different categories.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2325\" data-end=\"2427\">\n<li data-start=\"2325\" data-end=\"2374\">\n<p data-start=\"2327\" data-end=\"2374\">Proof: Focus on mirrors, contrast, hairlines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2375\" data-end=\"2427\">\n<p data-start=\"2377\" data-end=\"2427\">MS: Focus on luster, contact marks, overall freshness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"2429\" data-end=\"2432\">\n<h2 data-start=\"2434\" data-end=\"2484\">4) Cooper&#8217;s Cheat Sheet (Memorize in 10 seconds)<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2486\" data-end=\"2523\"><strong data-start=\"2486\" data-end=\"2521\">PF\/PR = Proof (Polished Plate)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2524\" data-end=\"2598\">\n<li data-start=\"2524\" data-end=\"2549\">\n<p data-start=\"2526\" data-end=\"2549\">special manufacturing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2569\">\n<p data-start=\"2552\" data-end=\"2569\">Mirror surfaces<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2570\" data-end=\"2598\">\n<p data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2598\">often Cameo or Ultra Cameo<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2600\" data-end=\"2657\"><strong data-start=\"2600\" data-end=\"2655\">MS = Mint State (regular minting, not in circulation)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2658\" data-end=\"2755\">\n<li data-start=\"2658\" data-end=\"2683\">\n<p data-start=\"2660\" data-end=\"2683\">normal embossing process<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"2713\">\n<p data-start=\"2686\" data-end=\"2713\">&#8220;Coin shine&#8221; instead of mirror<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2755\">\n<p data-start=\"2716\" data-end=\"2755\">Contact traces can still occur<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2757\" data-end=\"2816\">And now the most important sentence, correct and suitable for collectors:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2818\" data-end=\"2946\"><strong>PF\/PR stands for a coin minted as proof and MS for a normally minted coin; both are grading designations for the degree of preservation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2948\" data-end=\"2951\">\n<h2 data-start=\"2953\" data-end=\"3000\">5) Mini-conclusion from junior numismatist Cooper<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3002\" data-end=\"3046\">When you see an offer, always ask yourself:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"3048\" data-end=\"3227\">\n<li data-start=\"3048\" data-end=\"3115\">\n<p data-start=\"3051\" data-end=\"3115\"><strong data-start=\"3051\" data-end=\"3113\">Is it Proof (PR\/PF) or <a href=\"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/blog\/mint-state-coins-a-beginners-guide-to-collecting-evaluating-and-investing\/\">MS<\/a> (normally minted, Mint State)?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3116\" data-end=\"3166\">\n<p data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3166\"><strong data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3164\">What grade is printed on it (69, 70, etc.)?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3167\" data-end=\"3227\">\n<p data-start=\"3170\" data-end=\"3227\"><strong data-start=\"3170\" data-end=\"3227\">What is the look: UCAM contrast or fresh luster?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3294\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Suddenly, three letters become true collector expertise. \ud83d\udc3e<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-section-id=\"1egokkg\" data-start=\"505\" data-end=\"545\">About the author: Larissa Wasserthal<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"547\" data-end=\"789\">Larissa Wasserthal writes for Wasserthal RareCoin.Store about modern numismatic gold coins, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgs.com\/news\/cracking-the-code-understanding-pcgs-abbreviations-on-coin-holders\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">grading<\/a> , rarity, and collector value. In Cooper&#8217;s Coin Academy, she combines numismatic expertise with easily understandable explanations for collectors. <\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1ttuxn7\" data-start=\"791\" data-end=\"810\">Who is Cooper?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"812\" data-end=\"1069\">Cooper is the Labrador of Wasserthal RareCoin.Store and the junior numismatist of <strong data-start=\"898\" data-end=\"923\">Cooper&#8217;s Coin Academy<\/strong> . In his lessons, he explains the basics and connections surrounding coin collecting in an understandable and sometimes slightly unusual way. \ud83d\udc3e<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"2q4htg\" data-start=\"1071\" data-end=\"1116\">More lessons from Cooper&#8217;s Coin Academy<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1118\" data-end=\"1295\">Further lessons on grading, minting quality and certified coins can be found in the <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/coopers-coin-academy-learn-with-the-junior-numismatist\/\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1294\"><strong data-start=\"1209\" data-end=\"1234\">Cooper&#8217;s Coin Academy<\/strong><\/a> .<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1297\" data-end=\"1581\">Related to this lesson: <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/coopers-coin-academy-what-coin-grading-has-in-common-with-school-reports\/\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1323\" data-end=\"1453\"><strong data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1377\">What coin grading has in common with school reports<\/strong><\/a> \u00b7 <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/coopers-coin-academy-lesson-big-dog-energy-for-collectors\/\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1456\" data-end=\"1581\"><strong data-start=\"1457\" data-end=\"1520\">Cooper&#8217;s Coin Academy \u2013 Lesson: Big Dog Energy for Collectors<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-215146","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"Larissa Wasserthal","author_link":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/author\/larissa_wasserthal\/"},"comment_info":0,"permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/215146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215146"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/215146\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}