Just by looking at the photos in this auction could this be a proof coin and the seller just doesn't know it? http://cgi.ebay.com/1897-Liberty-He...ryZ11953QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem The "proof" term went off in my head because the strike is so good and there is a little haze on the reverse that I've seen on proof coins. Then again it might just be the picture. Any thoughts?
I don't think it's proof but it might not be just AU like it is listed as. It looks uncirculated to me.
Doesn't look like a proof , the rims would be more square all the way around , also hard to tell if it's wear or a weak strike from the blurry pictures , I'd say AU . JMO rzage
Thanks everyone. I know what modern proofs look like from all sides, wasn't sure about the Liberty Nickel ones as I've never seen one in person or from the side. I may still pick it up because I need that date and it looks pretty nice. Liberty Nickels this good, not cleaned (from what I can tell this is not), are hard to find. I've been picking up nice original luster, UNCLEANED, XF and AU Liberty Nickels here and there where I can. The XF and AU ones are more in my price range as it's a big step in price for BU ones. I pass on so many in the XF and AU grade range because they are cleaned.
Skippy I have to agree with the AU prices, and have done much the same for Barbers. That said, many times an AU piece is more attractive than an UNC.
