Rick, there are so many different variables in the potential setup with the photographed proof set, that trying to compare those photos and the OP's photos side by side really doesn't prove anything (for instance, the lighting and quality of images is obviously vastly different). From what I see in the OP's images, I see mirrored fields with sharp details that strongly resemble proof characteristics.
The images of this set are horrible, but my gut tells me these are proof coins. Yes, I know some are convinced they are business strikes, but the fields have strong proof qualities.
Are there any particular diagnostics that you can point to that convinces you that the OPs coins are not proof? Showing me fairly poor images next to fairly poor images doesn't really help me learn the difference. Really I'm trying to learn if I'm missing something. Thanks for your help Rick.
The Merc is the coin that appears most like a proof to me. The fields do not look like they have flowlines, yet they have the characteristic speckles that appear on proof coinage of the era.
Rick, Kirk means that YOU explain it in your own words, not posting photos and saying "just look and you'll see it". And as both Kirk and I pointed out, posting 2 photos taken under different lighting conditions, with different setups and cameras is not an effective way of determining the authenticity of a certain coin. And I agree that the OPs photo of the Mercury dime does exhibit proof-like qualities.
I don't think you're missing anything Kirk . . . frankly, if these coins are as nice as I think they could be, and were offered to me at an attractive price for proofs, I'd be hot to trot. In comparing the quality of strike between the walkers, especially at Liberty's head and left hand, I prefer the OP's coin . . .
look how square the rim is on the proof, to where the bus. strike is round, just study the coins I posted, non cent is right about lights, and etc, but details don't lie
Dime through cent are definitely without a doubt proofs. Quarter very likely proof, but the half, I'd need a better look at.
Am I now to believe my PCGS Proof dime is no longer a proof because it has the OP's "L" Die characteristics? Gotta remember that there are quite a few different dies and die pairs used even on proof coins.
The question cannot be definitively answered without somebody who knows what they are doing seeing the coins in hand. That requirement would probably exclude the average dealer, and definitely exclude the average collector. The Proofs of this period are indeed very different from most Proofs in that most do not have mirror fields, and very few have a cameo effect. As for flow lines, any and all struck coins have flow lines, it is impossible for it to be otherwise. But the flow lines on Proofs are almost always quite different from the flow lines of business strikes. The Proofs from this period are one of the few exceptions for many, but not all, of them have flow lines that resemble those of business strikes. Go to the Heritage site and view the '42 Proofs listed there.
Well this morning, I got this set into the two LCS in my area. One is not so hot, but the other guy is fairly well known and respected in this part of the country. Both say it is a proof set. The good guy had a PCGS graded 1940 proof set to do a side by side compare to. After seeing this set, (which did not look as good as mine) I am now more convinced than ever it is a proof set. The good guy said the coins would probably grade out between 65 and 66 with the cent being an RB4.
Thanks for the update JB. The grades seem a bit generous, but then again, I'm not the one with the coins in my hand. Great set.