Proof, Matte, or BU? A Collector’s Guide to Philippine Commemorative Coins

"Proof ka ba?"… "Inde, Matte!"… "Weh?"… "BU ka e!"

If you search for Philippine commemorative coins online, you’ll often come across terms like Proof, Matte, and BU. These are commonly used by sellers to describe the condition or finish of their coins. When I started collecting commemorative coins, I had no clue what these terms meant. Sometimes sellers wouldn’t mention them either—and that was okay with me because, honestly, I just wanted a piece of that silver coin.

But eventually, I noticed some differences among the coins in my collection. Some looked shinier, some flatter, and others somewhere in between. I started asking myself: How do you even tell them apart? I tried looking for references online, but it wasn’t easy to find anything specific to Philippine commemorative coins.

Until I stumbled upon the website of the Royal Mint of the UK.

Understanding the Terms: Proof, Matte, and BU

The Royal Mint does a great job explaining the differences between Proof, Matte, and Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) coins. They even provide sample photos, which really helped me visualize what these finishes look like.

In short, these are striking standards—methods used to mint coins at different levels of quality:

• Proof: The highest-quality finish. These coins are struck multiple times using specially polished dies, resulting in a mirror-like background and frosted designs.

• Matte: A flat, non-reflective finish with even surfaces. No mirror shine here.

• BU (Brilliant Uncirculated): An entry-level collectible. BU coins are minted more quickly and don’t undergo the same polishing process as Proofs. They still look shiny, but not quite as refined.

  
  

The Royal Mint describes BU as ideal for beginner collectors. They're bright and lustrous, but less detailed than Proof or Matte coins.

So What About Philippine Commemorative Coins?

While it's easy to find examples of British coins in each striking standard, it’s trickier when it comes to Philippine coins. Especially if you acquired your coins secondhand, or without a Certificate of Authenticity (COA). So how do we identify whether a coin is Proof, Matte, or BU?

To answer that, I examined several examples from my collection—specifically the ABL commemorative coins. Here’s how I learned to tell them apart:

A. Proof Coins

The key characteristic of a Proof coin is its mirror-like surface. “Pwede ka magsalamin!” You can almost see your face reflected on the field of the coin. The design and lettering stand out because they’re frosted and embossed, creating a strong contrast against the shiny background.

I read an article that mentioned the raised design on a proof coin is actually matte-struck, which enhances the contrast even more

To know about Philippine commemorative proof coins see Philippine Commemorative Coins - Proof Sets.

B. Matte Coins

Matte coins are the opposite of flashy. The design, lettering, and entire surface have a plain silver tone—no shine, no mirror finish. “Walang kabuhay-buhay!” You’ll only see a faint reflection, if any.

At first glance, Matte coins might look like worn-down Proofs, but that’s their actual finish from minting—not from age or cleaning.

C. Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Coins

BU coins can be a little tricky. Like Proof coins, they also have a mirror-like surface. But here's the difference: the entire coin is shiny—even the designs and letters. Unlike Proofs, BU coins don’t have embossed or frosted designs. Everything is polished, almost like a face carved into jelly.

When I first started, I actually thought BU coins were cleaned or even fake! Turns out, they’re just minted differently.

My “Eye Test” Trick

If I’m unsure whether a coin is Proof or BU—especially when it’s worn or no longer lustrous—I do what I call the "eye test." I bring the coin close to one eye and look at it like it’s a mirror. Then I slowly move my head left and right while observing the reflection.

Here’s what I look for:

• Proof: You won’t see a clear reflection of your eye in the relief part of the coin—just shadows and outlines.

• BU: You’ll see a clear image of your eye, like looking into shiny metal.

• Matte: You’ll barely see anything—just a faint blur.

  
  

It’s not scientific, but it works for me!

Final Thoughts

That’s how I learned to distinguish between Proof, Matte, and BU coins—at least for Philippine commemorative issues. It might take a bit of practice to see the differences at first, but over time, you’ll train your eye to spot them quickly.

If you want to learn more, check out this video from The Royal Mint explaining the striking standards. It’s a great resource for any collector, beginner or advanced.

Further reading:

• Collecting Philippine Commemorative Proof Sets: Beauty, Rarity, and Value

• Exploring Philippine Currency

  
  

Editors Note: This post was originally published August 26, 2022 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.