I am new to coin collecting and was wonder how you can tell if a coin is a proof. I've read briefly on how they are made but when searching through coins how can i tell? Any further education on this topic would be much appreciated. :smile
If you haven's already, I would suggest buying a red book. It'll will have allot of good info. As far as proofs go. A proof has finer details and is more mirror like in appearance. Most Proofs now will have an S mint mark for San Fransisco were they are minted. Trying to find them in rolls is difficult unless you already know they are proofs or that they are not worn enough and still have a mirror like finish.below is a 1964 proof and 1981P see the difference in the finish.
Modern proofs will have mirrored fields and frosty devices. Even after a proof has seen circulation (impaired proof) these conditions should still be evident and easily recognizable.
One thing you could do is go to a local coin shop or ebay and buy a modern proof set for reference. Sets from the 1970's and 1980's can usually be found for $10 or less sometimes much less.
I think it was 1968 when the San Fransisco Mint was devoted solely to striking proofs for the collector sets, so anything from 68 to present will have the S mint mark on the coin, except for a small number of the lower denominations that made it through QC that don't have the mint mark like the 1968 no S dime, 1970 no S dime, 1971 no S nickle, 1975 no S dime, 1983 no S dime, 1990 no S cent on both clad and prestige sets. Other than that, the moderns, made within the past 15 or so years, will have frosted reliefs and mirror fields.
Although all proof coin production began at San Francisco in 1968, uncirculated cents were also produced at San Francisco from 1968-1974. S minted uncirculated nickels are also available from 1968, 69, and 1970. Prior to 1968 all proof coin production took place at Philadelphia.
