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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Hobo, post: 405434, member: 11521&quot;]I don&#039;t claim to be an expert but I think I can usually distinguish a Business Strike from a Proof.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While scanning Proof Liberty Nickels on eBay I ran across <a href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&amp;campid=5335874456&amp;toolid=10001&amp;mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2F1889-Liberty-Nickel-5c-Stunning-GEM-PROOF-335_W0QQitemZ330256873002QQcmdZViewItem%3Fhash%3Ditem330256873002%26_trksid%3Dp3286.m14.l1308" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&amp;campid=5335874456&amp;toolid=10001&amp;mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2F1889-Liberty-Nickel-5c-Stunning-GEM-PROOF-335_W0QQitemZ330256873002QQcmdZViewItem%3Fhash%3Ditem330256873002%26_trksid%3Dp3286.m14.l1308" rel="nofollow">this one</a>. (I lifted the pic from the auction. Hope that is OK.) </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The coin is described as a &quot;Stunning Gem Proof 335&quot;. (Not sure what a Proof-335 is supposed to be but the seller is calling the coin a Proof.) The coin is in an NNC (National Numismatic Certification) holder and is labeled &quot;PR-69&quot;. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In my opinion, the coin does not have the characteristics of a Proof:</p><p><br /></p><ul> <li>No mirrors whatsoever. In fact, the fields appear fairly rough.</li> <li>Not double-struck. There is detail lacking in Liberty&#039;s hair and the wreath on the reverse. The tops of the numerals in the date appear rounded at the edges instead of being flat across the top.</li> <li>The fields show die erosion around the periphery on both obverse and reverse, especially on the reverse between the lettering and the denticles.</li> </ul><p>How can anyone grade this coin 69 (Proof or MS)? I see digs or gouges on the obverse at Stars 6 and 8 and on the reverse inside the first S of STATES. There also appears to be a hit in Liberty&#039;s hair in front of the ear. I&#039;m thinking this coin is MS-64 at the BEST. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Am I way off base here? Does anyone else think this coin is a Proof? If so, what am I missing? </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Examples like this are why I agree with eBay in not allowing all TPGs to be listed in the header and description. Luckily the bid on this coin is only about $6 at this time but there is over 5 days remaining in the auction. I&#039;m afraid someone will get taken on this coin.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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