Silver Abraham

Coin Collecting Question?

Im a about to start collecting US $ coins. My question is what is the difference between UNCIRCULATED and PROOF.

ex. 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar Proof Obverse
and
2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar Uncirculated Obverse

Is there a difference in value? which one is better to collect. Thank you.

The word uncirculated is quite descriptive, an uncirculated coin is a coin which is quite literally in mint condition. Because of the fact that coins are mass produced, there can be considerable surface marks, scratches, light abrasion or edge knocks. Even before a coin leaves the mint, it may be considerably less than perfect.
Sometimes uncirculated coins are described as ordinary uncirculated to differentiate them from proof coins.

Proof is not a grade, but a term for a specially struck coin, produced originally as pre-production samples, now often marketed for collectors.
Most proof coins have the raised parts of the design in a matt or sand-blasted finish, while the flat part or background has a highly polished mirror finish. The dies used to strike proofs are usually sand blasted first, and then the flat raised areas of the die, which correspond to the flat background areas of the coin, are then polished to a mirror finish.
The blanks from which the coins are struck are also specially prepared and polished prior to striking.
Proof coins can be expected to be absolutely perfect without blemishes.

Proof coins is more expensive than uncirculated coins. Uncirculated coins are better to collect because there are more of them around and they are not tight on the budget.