I have a few older Great Britain Pennies and I noticed the 1908 coin is different in color, much lighter. Could this be a proof? I have no idea how to tell a proof from a regular strike. I don't know if you can tell from the photos, but I thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks Geod
Certainly not proof. The lighter colour maybe because someone has harshly cleaned it (In cola or sauce) a long time ago and then it has re-toned but kept that nasty pink hue that comes from cleaning. Proof coins from this era are exceedingly rare and would be much sharper than this example. Even if it had started as a proof, it has taken so much wear and damage that it would have lost all it's value.
