The E-Sylum of July 22 noted the term “circulated cameo,” and several variants thereof. The earliest usage found on the Newman Portal dated to 2007, in the Chicago Coin Club Chatter, and was used in the context of circulated Barber coinage. The term is also found occasionally in the publications of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club.

There is a theme here – circulated 19th century American silver coinage is sometimes found with the “two-tone” or “circulated cameo” effect, typically darker fields contrasting with lighter devices. It’s a matter of taste, but advanced collectors tend to like them. Attached is an example from the Newman II sale (Heritage, 11/2013), lot 34619, an 1895-O Barber half dollar (realized $223.25).