Proofs are minted especially for collectors.

2002 Canada $100 Proof Gold Coin - Oil Industry US $597.87 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 7:27:36 PST Add to watch list

1989 CANADA MAPLE LEAF 10TH ANNIV GOLD PROOF 4 COIN SET US $4,999.95 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 11:50:31 PST Add to watch list

1985 Canada $100 Gold National Parks Proof Coin US $999.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 13:12:09 PST Add to watch list

CANADA $100 DOLLARS GOLD COIN HOKEY 2006 PROOF US $599.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 22:06:28 PST Add to watch list

CANADA SILVER 1/2 DOLLAR DAFFODIL LILY PROOF 2003-4 US $99.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 11:10:29 PST Add to watch list

CANADA GOLD LOUIS COIN $1 DOLAR 1/25 OZ EARLY PROOF 2008 US $149.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 20:18:13 PST Add to watch list

CANADA GOLD LOUIS COIN $1 DOLAR 1/25 OZ EARLY PROOF 2007 US $149.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 20:21:48 PST Add to watch list

1989 Proof Gold Maple Leaf in Capsule US $2,512.06 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 8:21:52 PST Add to watch list

1989 Proof 1/4 Oz. Gold Maple Leaf in Capsule US $703.38 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 8:24:14 PST Add to watch list

PALAU 2006 BUFFALO WEAVER Proof fine gold. US $80.34 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 15:48:47 PST Add to watch list

1.500 Francs GOLD 2006 Proof fine gold. Martin Luther US $80.34 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 15:49:30 PST Add to watch list

1.500 Francs GOLD 2006 Proof fine gold. Sanssouci US $80.34 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 15:50:07 PST Add to watch list

2009 CANADA GOLD $1/2 DOLAR 1/25 OZ 50 CENTS RED MAPLE EARLY STRIKE PROOF US $149.00 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 21:43:10 PST Add to watch list

Canadian Chinese $8 Proof 2007 Silver US $80.34 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 5:32:46 PST Add to watch list

CANADA GOLD 2 DOLLARS POLAR BEAR PROOF 2000 FIRST STRIKE #989 US $549.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 9:00:26 PST Add to watch list

The Canadian VOYAGEURS 2005 1/25oz 99.99% Proof US $149.72 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:37:38 PST Add to watch list

The Canadian Majestic Moose 2004 1/25oz 99.99% Proof US $199.96 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:43:22 PST Add to watch list

Canadian Chinese $8 Proof 2007 Silver US $80.34 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:43:42 PST Add to watch list

2010 $20 Silver Proof Coin Blue Crystal Snowflake US $160.72 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:58:41 PST Add to watch list

CANADA MAPLE LEAF SILVER 5 COIN SET HOLOGRAM 2003 PROOF US $199.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:04:27 PST Add to watch list

1979 CANADIAN $100 22 KARAT GOLD PROOF COIN US $975.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:52:31 PST Add to watch list

1990 CANADA FLAG ANNIVERSARY $200 22KT. GOLD PROOF US $975.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 0:08:53 PST Add to watch list

1989 CANADA MAPLE LEAF $5 FIVE DOLLAR GOLD PROOF COIN PCGS PR69 DCAM US $499.95 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 0:49:41 PST Add to watch list

1980 Canada $100 gold 22k proof Arctic Territories US $845.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 14:10:25 PST Add to watch list

Original Canada 2004 solid proof .9999 Gold Coin "Majestic Moose" US $118.07 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 18:33:23 PST Add to watch list

1999 CANADA GOLD 2 DOLLARS NUNAVUT PROOF STRIKE #3146 RARE US $549.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 6:35:35 PST Add to watch list

1977 22kt Gold Proof Canadian Coin ORIGINAL PACKAGING US $1,299.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 8:20:17 PST Add to watch list

Original Canada 2005 solid proof .9999 Gold Coin "Voyageur" US $90.33 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 18:33:34 PST Add to watch list

2009 CANADA SILVER $5 DOLLARS CANADA IN JAPAN PROOF US $79.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 23:22:36 PST Add to watch list

CANADA $100 DOLLARS GOLD COIN LOUISBOURG 1995 PROOF US $599.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 11:53:06 PST Add to watch list

Canadian 1982 New Constitution $100 Gold Proof Coin-w/COA & Box US $1,368.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 12:29:47 PST Add to watch list

Canadian $50 Gold coin from 1983 in proof condition. US $1,500.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 13:44:49 PST Add to watch list

Original Canada 2007 solid proof .9999 Gold Coin "Timberwolf" US $90.33 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 18:33:42 PST Add to watch list

CANADA $100 DOLLARS GOLD COIN, WHALE 1988 PROOF US $599.00 End Date: Monday Feb-13-2012 8:17:55 PST Add to watch list

CANADA $100 DOLLARS GOLD COIN, HURON 1989 PROOF US $599.00 End Date: Monday Feb-13-2012 8:18:47 PST Add to watch list

CANADA GOLD $5 DOLLAR MAPLE LEAF PROOF CAMEO US $249.99 End Date: Monday Feb-13-2012 14:52:19 PST Add to watch list

2012 Canada Gold Maple Leaf 4 Coin Set 1.85 OZ Purer Than Eagle Proof Set .9999 US $3,499.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-19-2012 14:52:04 PST Add to watch list

CANADA $100 DOLLARS GOLD COIN EMPRESS 1991 PROOF US $579.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-19-2012 20:20:49 PST Add to watch list

2008 GOLD CANADA $1 COIN ★ GOLD LOUIS ★ PROOF ROYAL CANADIAN MINT RCM ◄EDELMANS► US $139.00 End Date: Monday Feb-20-2012 7:41:56 PST Add to watch list

CANADA 2011 PROOF 'BOREAL FOREST' 50 Cents 1/25 Oz. FINE .9999 GOLD US $149.95 End Date: Monday Feb-20-2012 18:10:51 PST Add to watch list

CANADA 2011 PROOF 'ORCA WHALE' 50 Cents 1/25 Oz. FINE .9999 GOLD US $149.95 End Date: Monday Feb-20-2012 18:11:00 PST Add to watch list

CANADA 2011 PROOF 'PEREGRINE FALCON' 50 Cents 1/25 Oz. FINE .9999 GOLD US $149.95 End Date: Monday Feb-20-2012 18:11:09 PST Add to watch list

Pope John Paul II Proof gold coin $75 2005 Canada US $1,375.00 End Date: Wednesday Feb-22-2012 16:12:34 PST Add to watch list

CANADA GOLD 50 DOLLARS END OF WW II 2005 PROOF US $649.00 End Date: Wednesday Feb-22-2012 20:26:59 PST Add to watch list

2003 CANADA LUNAR RAM $150 GOLD PROOF COIN PCGS PR69 US $969.95 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 8:40:16 PST Add to watch list

2012 SILVER $20 PROOF QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE + CRYSTAL US $110.48 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 12:00:26 PST Add to watch list

CANADA $4 SILVER DOLLARS PARASAUROLOPUS PROOF 2007 US $299.99 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 17:11:20 PST Add to watch list

GOLD 2011 PROOF 'WOOD BISON' 50 Cents 1/25 Oz. FINE .9999 GOLD US $149.95 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 18:23:40 PST Add to watch list

2006 CANADA 10TH ANNIVERSARY 22KT PROOF GOLD $2 COIN US $725.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 13:42:40 PST Add to watch list

2000 CANADA Millenium 22KT PROOF GOLD $2 COIN Bears US $575.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-26-2012 16:06:08 PST Add to watch list

A coin that is struck using a special, high-quality minting die so that its impressions and imprinting is in pristine condition is called a proof coin. Such types of coins are made especially for collectors. Many of the proof coins minted before the twentieth century were distinguished from the regular coins by their polished and high detailed surfaces; however, modern proof coins usually are made using mirror-like fields. The main reason why such proof coins are not seen in circulation is because they are especially made for collectors and are sold at rates which are higher than the face value of the coin.

Normally when printing a coin, two die are used; one die is used for the front design and the other is used for the back design of the coin. However, in the case of minting a proof coin, the dies first need to be polished and then treated using special chemicals so that the finished coin can have a more frosted appearance. Also, when minting such proof coins, the dies used strike the coins twice instead of the usual one time used for regular coins. This is mainly done so that the plain metal is forced into all the visible crevices of the dies giving the finished coin a much sharper image. This results in the coin getting a very fine detailed image. Such proof coins can be distinguished from regular circulated coins by their much sharper designs and rims, along with the much smoother fields.

Grading of proofs is very similar to grading Mint State coins. Here, the grades are preceded by PF and have the same numeric values starting from 60 to 70. An uncirculated proof would be graded as PF-60 while a PF-70 would be graded a perfect proof.