I recently got this nice cent, i think it may be a proof, since the edge is looking proof like, same with the strike quality, what do you think?
I think it's not quite sharp enough to be a proof. Especially the stems connected to the acorns in the wreath. Business strike: Proof strike: Images from PCGS The color of your coin looks unnatural, I'm guessing it was cleaned and retoned. It also appears to have some environmental damage issues. Welcome to CoinTalk.
Doesn't look like a proof. If it's not it's not going to be worth grading. An unimpaired proof lists for $300 on USA Coin Book. So how much is an impaired proof worth? It depends on who needs it as an album filler/ or whatever the market will bear. ($150?) How much are grading costs, postage and insurance? (Over $50?) If it's not a proof, it's a $25-$50 coin.
It does not have any hairlines that would indicate cleaning, maybe it was an improper alloy mix? Something like this is also pretty prevalent in buffalo nickels, they sometimes have lines of different colors. The lack of sharpness sure is concerning though
I can't really say for sure if it's been cleaned or not from the photos, but the grey color and splotches on the reverse are from an adverse chemical reaction with moisture and the like. Too bad though, it looks at least AU otherwise.
You aren't really going to get an improper alloy mix with a proof coin, as these are specially prepared planchets and they would notice that error long before minting. An improper alloy mix is more likely on a business strike. And with an old penny, it's only 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, so that seems difficult to mess up.
It’s not an impaired proof and it’s also a common date coin so not worth the grading fees. It is nice looking for its age and while the obverse does look like an improper alloy mix, it isn’t. Welcome to CT.
