Found my first proof in circulation (I think)

The S cent through half are all available as proofs from 1968 forward, but the S mint cents were also made as business strikes through 1974. From 1975 forward, any S mint Lincoln is a proof.

Your statement holds true for dimes, quarters, and half dollars though (that all S mints of these from 1968 forward are proofs). And with nickels, all S mints from 1971 forward are proofs.

 

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On another note, I found a 2003-S nickel in circulation a while back, which had to be a proof, but looked nothing like a proof anymore due to circulation wear.

 

I just so happened to find my first 1960s proof in circulation. I put it next to a shiny business circulation coin.

Pictures aren't so hot, so I apologize. In person, it's obvious what's a proof and what isn't. This is only the 3rd proof I found in circulation. The proofs are struck a lot harder than the business circ coins, so they tend to have a higher rim, and the coin itself has a "sunken" appearance.