9. Choosing the Finishing

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the pictures

Coin finish

Matte finish

Negative proof

Brilliant uncirculated

Coin Finish

Without finish, no further processing is applied after a medal comes from the press. This could be the choice for people who have a limited budget.

Matte Finish

The medal is characterized by a dull metallic finish produced by sandblasting - this is done by pelting its surface with a very fine sand to break up the smooth surface. This procedure can be used on all kinds of medals.

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BU or Brilliant Uncirculated

BU medals are characterized by an evenly bright shinning finish. A BU medal is like a coin taken from a roll of coins, fresh from the mint, that have never been circulated.

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Negative Proof Finish

This is the most preferred and chosen medal finishing. It is a special finish applied with best results on high relief medals that is characterized by a matte medal surface contrasted with a reflective finish of the extruded parts. Negative proof medals can have a very impressive look because if plated or have a patina they can combine two metal colors on the same medal. For instance, if you take a brass medal with a bronze patina and apply this method you will get a bronze medal surface with brass colored raised parts, or if you have a silver plated brass medal you will get a silver medal surface with brass colored raised parts.

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Proof Finish

This finish is distinguished by a shining and highly reflective metallic surface (medal ground), contrasted with frosted matte finished relief parts (raised areas). Proof finish beautifully highlights the relief structure. Proof finish medals are struck from carefully pre-polished cleaned blanks by specially treated dies. Multiple strikes may be needed to bring out all design details. Not many medals of this type can be produced in a single day. This type of finish has the richest appearance and is the most expensive among all other types, hence if you are looking for the best and have the time this has got to be your choice.