(Pictures are shown as mirror images) There were only about 16k buffalo nickel proofs made, in years: 1913-16, 36, 37 "The first period during which proof Buffalo Nickels were issued was at the beginning of the series from 1913 to 1916....The second period was near the end of the series for the years 1936 and 1937. The first year can be found with matte or brilliant surfaces, while the second year was struck only as brilliant. " I bought 21 of this collection at auction for .25 each. I dont know who the collector was. Just an fyi, a special edition 1927 buffalo nickel was "discovered" in this exact scenario. (Pictures are shown as mirror images) - I see what appears to be a 1937 matte finish(?) But they dont exist(?). The 1913 could be matte? And there is a 1937 that could be a "brilliant" proof because it has iridescence and brilliance.
I lined up 20 of the 21 buffalo nickels without sorting them. I didnt know which was which. I picked out those that had thicker rims. Low and behold, i got the ones that i think may be "proofs". -Four 1937p's = 3 satin (brilliant), one matte -Two 1913p's (type 1 and type 2), matte Proofs are supposed to have thicker rims due to additional strikes that push the metal out toward the collar.
All of the ones in the last drawing ( magnified) appear to show chamfered ( rounded edge/rim joining) edges indicating business strikes rather than the sharp right angle edge normal for proofs. I personally do not see any that look like proofs on the surface ( normal or matte) , but others may differ. IMO, Jim
I dont know? I can never see the "squared" rim, even when someone shows me. Lol I look at those on pcgs and think mine look the same? The rims are deep. All i can say is they passed the "blinded" thickness test and have some other characteristics of a proof.