How would I tell if a Lincoln Wheat is a proof?

As the title asks - how would I tell if a Lincoln Wheat is a proof? I came across this 1939 Lincoln Wheat today at work. It's unlike ANY that I have handled before. First of all it is INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT to get a decent picture of due to the almost rose colored toning on it. When I scanned it - it came out dark, and when I tried to put it under my microscope to get as close a picture as I can of the whole coin, it proved very difficult to get a good shot.

I am going to post the best pictures I was able to take using various formats to display this coin. I apologize in advance if some of the details aren't the best.

The coin has very sharp details in person looking at the coin (especially for a 1939).

Could this have been a proof?

From My Scanner:
I have scanned hundreds of coins, and never had one refuse to show it's true colors properly until now. The coin is NOT brown, it's got a rose tone to it.


From My Microscope
You can get hints of the rose toning based in this picture. Apologies - I was free handing the camera to get the whole coin in the shot.




From My Cell Phone:
You can see the coin appears brown in this picture, but I assure you it's rose toned.

 

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I don't think so..

A "proof cent" is a specially minted coin with a highly polished, mirror-like finish, struck multiple times with specially prepared dies to showcase intricate details, while a "normal strike" is a standard circulating coin struck once with regular dies, resulting in a less defined appearance compared to a proof coin; essentially, a proof cent is a much higher quality version of a regular cent with significantly sharper details and a more reflective surface.

 

It’s a business strike intended for circulation. The rims are the key.

 

Nary the sharpness of a wire rim edge. An particular indicator.........OP's are splotchy and blunt.

 

Even a superb condition cent that was coined for circulation does not have surfaces that are as mirror-like as a proof. As mentioned above, compare the rims. The first coin has edges that are somewhat rounded at the outer edge, while the proof is very sharp.

Feel free to tap the images to make them bigger if that helps inspect the surfaces.

1939 Business strike


1939 Proof strike

 

Proofs can dull or tone with age and possible circulation, but the proof of the pudding is the rim. A proof will have a 90 degree edge on it.

 

Thanks to everyone for their replies! Learning is key and I appreciate everyone who posted a reply back!

 

True about the right angle edge



The right angle of the edge should look like this . Deductions if pitted or scratched.

Jim