quick question

[Teryble]

Do proof coins say from the fifties lose their luster & appear like any other "fifties coins"?

[Dick]

Tery, It depends on several factors. If still in the "case", the answer would be no, no change. But, if exposed to the elements, then there would be some changes, due to the oxygen, etc in the air. You may not be aware of it, but there is a lot of acid, in the tain, which helps ruin the surface of any metal that is exposed. The oxygen, will cause the surface of metal to oxidize. So where the coin is kept, will determine what will happen to it. Among the worst cases would be handled by human hands! The fingers hava an acidic ioly condition, that will ruin a coin! Best use cotton gloves, "you don't want to get any 'stickers". hope this helps,
Dick

[eagames]

They should stay looking like a proof.
Some do get a hazy coating but you can still see they're proofs.

The only ones I've seen that lost luster are ones that people circulated but that's rare.

You can still tell on many coins. For example most proofs are a slightly different design like some quarters and half dollars have a slightly different reverse. Modern cents are the only ones with S and they also have a different reverse (the one with wide AM is on proof cents) but then sometimes that special reverse style die gets used on normal ones. That's why the grading companies call those 1998-1999-2000 normal cents with wide AM "proof hub reverse" because that reverse is meant for proofs. But you can still tell they aren't proofs because of the dull finish and no S on the obv.