Shiny does not equal proof. A proof coin will always have very sharp details as well as a very sharp, square rims.
You should get a copy of The Red Book of US Coins. A larger book store should stock it at a reasonable price. You can also find used ones on Amazon and eBay. Lots of info there that will help you in your search. (Don't pay attention to its price guide, though. It's out of date at the time of printing and wildly inaccurate.) If you are looking for error coins, a Cherry Pickers Guide would be a good purchase, also.
By the way, have you seen the new Red Book (the $50 one?) HUGE! My first question was, "Is it one coin per page now?"