Even with plenty flat pack proof sets and many pre 1965 proof singles I don't know how to identify a pre 1968 proof coin. I noticed that most proof coins don't have cartwheel luster. Anyway can you tell me how to identify a pre 1968 proof coin. Thanks,
The same way you would recognize a post 1968 proof coin. I'm not sure I understand the question, or at least not the significance of 1968.
Actually Jallengomez - most post 1968 proofs have S mintmarks. Otherwise the prior ones look like a proof. I have found proofs dated as early as 1958 in nickel rolls and several 1962 examples also. I did find a 1965 SMS quarter, you can tell by the sharper and cleaner strike, in circulation last year.