I was coin roll hunting and found this...IS THIS A PROOF?

I was wondering if this was a proof because it has such great luster, and is in wonderful condition for a 1971. There were other 1971 Kennedy Halves in the roll, but none of them could match this one.

I also found this pretty cool penny, it's kind of toned but my camera didn't take such a great picture of the toning. Please let me know what you think of both of them!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

It does not look like a proof to me, but the pictures are not that great either. Gratz on the Cent!

 

A proof Kennedy wouldn't have luster. It would have a mirror finish. Looks like a nice MS piece.

 

So you would say it is just in extremely well condition? I'll try posting some more pictures! Also, would the cent be worth anything?

 

Poor pics, so can't judge the cent. The Kennedy is a proof only if it carries the "S" mint mark. If it's there, you'll find it above and between the 9 and 7 in the date just under the front of Jack's neck.

 

I am very new here, could you please let me know what MS means?

 

Couldn't get my camera to take a good picture of the cent above, but here is a picture of another one I found today while roll hunting. What do you think about this one?

 

That's Coin Collecting 101.
Mint State.

 

Mint State or MS refers to uncirculated coins, starts at MS60 and goes up to MS70 for an allegedly "perfect" coin.

 

So what would you grade it?

 

Grading is impossible with those pics.

 

What kind of pictures should I take?

 

The problem is with the focus and how close you can get. I stink at taking pictures, NUMEROUS attempts and few to none successes. The easiest way to do this (OK purists, it isn't good) is to scan it on an all-in-one printer. Back it up with some white paper on the flatbed, use the highest resolution you can get with the printer software, or with other software you might use (I use Corel PaintShop Pro I got for free with a rebate, but there are great programs available on the net for free) mask out everything but the coin and go for it. The rest is uploading. From the looks of the coin in your photo, it is shiny, but that could mean uncirculated with luster, or polished. If it is a proof, the fields are mirrors. The only proof I ever found was an Eisenhower from the bank. I got some and was going through them when I saw myself in a coin. Unmistakeable.

 

Oh, okay. I will try that when I get home because the pictures I have been taking have been with my iPhone, I believe it is only 8 megapixels. Which isn't so great. I'll try scanning it and see how that works. I'm not sure about the process but I will have to figure it out (scanning and transferring).

 

In 1968, the San Francisco Mint was dedicated to striking proof coins and has been ever since, with the exception of the West Point Mint striking proof gold and silver 1 ounce and commems.

Your 71 half, looks like a business strike from Philadelphia as I see no mint mark.

 

1971 proof coins have a "S" mint mark. It is centered above the 9 and 7 on the obverse.

 

I believe it's a d, I'm out right now but will double check when I get home.

 

Proof Kennedy's with mirror like fields.




Mint State Kennedy with luster in the fields

 

I do see some sort of blob where the mint mark would be, so I'll take your word on that as it's indistinguishable from those pics.

 

Yeah, I'm no expert but I'd say my coin is in better condition than that MS shown above.