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Originally Posted by bojous So, the gist of what y'all are saying is the only way to determine a '71 proof nickel, or a '90 proof cent, or a '75 proof dime (all w/o mm's) is by the innate quality of a proof coin vs a business strike, right? Even though these hypothetical proofs have been in circulation for 20-30 yrs? Guess I'm gonna need to upgrade my glasses, as well as all my magnifying stuff. AND study the hell out of some known proofs!
Thanks for answering this question...It's been kinda bugging me periodically for a while. |
Not exactly.
Proof is a different method of manufacture it's not just a higher quality.
Basining of dies is polishing the face flat and smooth. Coins are struck
multiple times so the entire die is usually visible. Planchets are polished
so there is a high luster on the finished coin.
What complicates things is that these same processes sometimes ap-
pear on business strikes either intentionally or accidently. Sometimes
they don't appear on proofs accidently. There are cases where business
dies are inadvertantly prepared and used as proof dies and where retired
proof dies were used to coin business strikes.
There is normally a hard and fast line between proof and business strikes
but this line is sometimes blurred because of mint practices or errors.
