Cameo (coinage)

In coin grading, cameo is the amount of contrast between the relief (raised or recessed design) and field (background).

Cameo is usually seen on proof coinage, with the relief featuring a frosted finish and the field being mirror-like.

Cameos can be found on some of the earliest American proof coins, but have not been produced intentionally for the public until recently.

[2] Though rare, general circulation (non-proof) strikes may exhibit cameo as a result of die polishing.

The coins, varieties of the American Silver Eagle and American Gold Eagle, feature reverse cameo finishes, where the relief is mirror-like and the field has a frosted appearance.