Proof Wheat penny

I bought a proof '57 wheat penny on ebay for $1.50 with FREE shipping. I can't wait for it to come in.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280274180928

 

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Just to clarify for you proof is not a condition. It is a coin that has been minted using different dies and by a slightly different method to create a more crisply stamped and mirrored sufaced coin than would normally be expected for circulation.

Richard

 

Yeah I know its not actually a condition, its just ive always called it that. I edited it.

 

Sweet buy! :thumb:

Now to send it to one of the TPG's for grading & slabbing (TPG's = Toad's Professional Grading Service).

Ribbit

 

I know its JUST a 57.. and I know its JUST a 1.50$.. but I wouldnt buy from anyone with those pictures, definitely doctored in some way

 

After you said this I went and looked at the auction more closely and noticed this:

"This is a stock photo of one of the many that I have on hand."

Technically, that's a violation of Ebay's Policies, so who knows what yours will look like? Please post a pic when it arrives. :thumb:

Ribbit

 

I too read that statement.

Up for grabs is a terrific proof coin carefully removed from the proof set. Any spotty, hazy, or toned coins have been tossed aside. This is a stock photo of one of the many that I have on hand.

Something is fishy here. $1.50 for a coin that is worth, or should be worth, about double that and free shipping? At almost any coin show that would be a $4 coin. Also, I'm a little leary about no obverse photo.
Hopefully all is OK. Let us all know.

 

Funny thing Richard, when I was young my father always said that a proof coin was a "perfect coin" yet my Red Book from that era (60's) clearly states that it is a method of manufacture. For many years I took him at his word only to point it out to him later in my collecting career.

 

At least for a $1.50 it would not be a major loss and hopefully it will work out. Can't wait to see a picture of what you get.

 

Your Dad was right, the Red Book is also correct. If you would have looked up the word PROOF in our old friendly Websters widely used book, you would have found many, many explanations for the word proof. NONE deal with coins. HOWEVER, one of the many discriptions of that word is a statement dealing with the product of a perfectly made plate or die. I print it all out but to long for me. Therefore, inderectly, all are correct. A proof is in reality the perfect results of a so called perfect die or plate.
Then too, since nothing is really perfect, just where does that leave us?

 

Yeah I know, Red Book lists it at 4 bucks. For $1.50 with free shipping I can't lose much. It still has almost a 2 cent melt value.

I will post a pic when it come with my usb microscope that I found in my closet that I hadn't seen in 4 years until last week.

 

I've bought from that seller before, I have no reason to doubt that there is something wrong with the coin.
It looks more like a little promotion he's doing.

 

Proof is a PROCESS, not a condition at all by any stretch of the imagination.

Damaged or circulated proof are called impaired proofs. Look at any Heritage auction, they will probably have an 1856 Flying Eagle cent in grades , say like PR-40.....

Everything is special in the process, from the caring and preperation of the dies, to the planchets being polished, thru the slow double striking process ( one coin at a time) and even sorting and packaging.

 

OK. Now I'm confused. Are we talking about beer here?

 

I remember my Dad buying proof sets for me and telling me that the coins had "never been touched by human hands". What do y'all think about that?

 

I think that's kind of what we all feel...but for a $1.50, who cares. It would probably be just as fun to roll the dice and see what you get for that kind of money.

 

I agree with that sentiment.

 

I think you made a great deal If you really zoom in on the coin it looks like a double die. there is DOUBLING on the letters of one cent . The letters look like there's notching on them . I don't think the seller has any clue about this. I don't think my eyes are fooling me check it out. Zoom in /

Jazzcoins joe

 

The pic on the auction is a Stock Photo and not the coin he will receive so scrutinizing the photo is mute.

Ribbit

 

Moot