I coined the phrase, you might say, on the Collectors Universe forums before 2006.

Hey, I just got a Draped Bust half that resembles yours, Tom! 'Bout the same grade, as I recall. And like yours, it's what I like to refer to as a "circulated cameo", meaning the devices are lighter than the fields. Mine has really dark grey fields- almost black. But the portrait and so on are lighter, which makes 'em stand out nicely.

I think "circulated cameo" should become a quasi-official numismatic term. If somebody else didn't coin the phrase before me, let it be known henceforth, that I, Lord M. Smartypants, created it here and now.

...or maybe it should be a "circulation cameo", to avoid confusion with lightly-circulated cameo proofs.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

From henceforth and now on, blahblahblah, Let It Be Known that I, Lord M. Smartypants, did hereby and blahblahblah, REcoin the term "Circulation Cameo", to refer to any business strike coin that has dark fields and light devices; to wit, a coin that received a cameo effect through wear (circulation), as opposed to a cameo proof coin.

So be it enacted. From now on, all such coins shall be referred to as "circulation cameos".

During a recent discussion of TomB's 1803 Draped Bust half, I coined a new numismatic phrase (I think): "circulation cameo".

This refers to a coin with darker-toned fields and light devices, like a cameo effect, but unlike a cameo proof, the circulation cameo achieved this cameo effect through wear on its high points. I have seen a number of Draped Bust silver coins with this look, and I like it. Even a silver coin that is so darkly toned it's almost black can be pleasing if the portrait and devices are a lighter color- the contrast of light and dark is pleasing to the eye.

OK, so maybe you don't like my new term, but such coins needed a short descriptor of some sort.

On November 25, 2004, Andy Lustig posted this on the PCGS Forum!

Take a look at ARCO's Barber halves. Some display a cameo effect every bit as much as gem proofs. It seems to me that it's inconsistent to designate proof cameos but not circ cameos. What do you think?

I voted YES. Arco is one of my coin collecting heroes, and I try to build my 3 circulated Barber sets with the "circulated cameo" look that has made his set famous here. I know the Barber series best, but see the circulated cameo issue as an upcoming designation across all series of circulated U.S. coins.

As silly as it may sound, there are many other collectors who enjoy original circulated coins with light devices and darker fields. We can tell when a coin has been messed with, and so can PCGS. I am willing to pay a premium for a circulated cameo VF or XF Barber coin over the typical monochrome gray one in the same grade, so PCGS might actually consider the designation of Circulated CAM. It remains to be seen whether the circulated CAM designation carries enough of a premium to cover the grading fees on enough lower grade circulated coins (and I have some circ. CAM G-4s)

However, I think it will be tough to write the standard between circulated CAM and circulated DCAM, but I expect this will be attempted in the next five years. If there's one thing that numismatists have in common, it's the ability to discern minute differences between coins and tell each other how to distinguish them.

Now, I know I came up with the term independently of Andy (and maybe even before him), but since his 2004 thread predates my own earliest mention of the term that I can find (my 2006 thread about CircCams), it appears he should get the credit, as I have no evidence to back my claim to the term prior to 2006.

Doesn't matter so much. I just thought that appearance needed a shorthand term, and I'm glad to see it gaining some currency in the numismatic community.

I'm virtually certain I'm the first who abbreviated it as "CircCam", even if Andy used a conjunction of "circulated" and "cameo" before me.

So credit him, or both of us, if the historical origin of the term is important. It's all good, and I'm flattered either way. :-)

I've certainly promoted the use of the term since at least '06.

I’ve always wanted to contribute something to numismatics. Never imagined this would be it!