My grandpa left a few coins for me and included was an 1898 Liberty Nickel. On the holder that it is in it says that this is a proof coin but I don't really know about that. My question is that there is a line going across the coin that looks like it might be a die crack and I was wondering if somebody can confirm that it is a mint error and not just something else. Also along the jaw line there is something that may or may not be a scratch and I was wondering if it was supposed to be there or not. Thanks Mike
It definitely appears to be raised, so yeah, I'd say it's the beginning of a die crack. As for the scratch on the cheek, I'd say that's what it is - a scratch. I don't think coin is a Proof though.