Hi, I just got into coin collecting a few months ago. I have since bought a 1938 Proof dime on Ebay. I was very skeptical that this was actually a proof dime, as less than 9000 were made in 1938. But I figured that I could buy, look at it, and return if needed. The coin arrived today. It has a nice shinny, mirror-like finish. But when I took high resolution pictures of the coin, I saw obvious scratches across Lady Liberty. Is this what they call a "Whizzed coin"?
This is not a proof. It is a polished coin. If you can't tell what a proof should look like, you should only by certified coins from PCGS, NGC, ANACS or ICG.
Welcome to CT @Benjamin-46! Yikes!!!!!!!.....returning it is required! You're right on both counts - it is whizzed, & it is not a proof. Go to a coin show (or at least a local coin shop) & see first hand, in hand, what a proof looks like. For that matter, look at examples of any coins you are interested in, in person (in hand) to see what they should look like in different grades. I'm not sure you are ready yet to assess & purchase raw coins off the internet.
Thanks, for the replies and suggestions! I do know what a proof coin looks like. I was just too tempted to to own a rare one from 1938. And postage is free, each way.
Yep, Meow would return it if you paid thinking you where getting a proof. It is most definitely not one.
It is a heavily polished or whizzed Mercury Dime. It's not a Proof. I don't have a 1938 Proof dime, but here is a 1936 Proof dime which has a similar look. And here is a 1939 Proof Dime.
Nice coins. The squared rims and the sharpness of the devices are good indicators of a proof in any series. The OP's coin is definitely not a proof.