Proof dies vs. business strike

Can anyone tell me the diagnostics between proof and business strike dies on the 1884 3 cent nickels? I have searched a few web sites and haven't found what differentiates the two strikes. I just purchased a PCGS proof 15, only because it fits in with the circulated set I'm working on.

 

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Hopefully it will turn out to be a business strike.

 

I guess I could see it being an impaired proof. They do list a PF15 in their pop report, so probably not a lable error.

 

@Kirkuleez

 

It seems there are more people who think their 1884 3CN is a business strike
https://ebay.us/V9fMlu

 

I think that’s peobanly the lowest graded proof I’ve ever seen

 

I am certain it's a proof as I trust PCGS 's grading. But what I'm wondering is if it were Raw how would I tell whether it was proof or a business strike

 

Yeah, that’s a good question. I can’t answer it but I tagged Kirkuleez as I believe he knows about 3CN pieces.

 

Maybe @Insider has some inside information

 

This looks like a proof to me after some r search. The reverse denticles are much more square compared to the obverse, which I see here

 

I'll need to look tomorrow. One thing I know for sure, when in doubt:

IT'S A PROOF!

 

Yes I do. Still learning every day.

 

I completed at three cent proof set some years ago, but unfortunately I’m not very well versed in the specific diagnostics to shed any light on this one. I have seen other1884 impaired proofs, but never graded this low. I suspect that there is a glaring diagnostic that they used to identify it, but have no idea what it might be.

 

It's now tomorrow plus some...

 

I forgot all about this. I'll check this coming week if you remind me.

 

It's also very hard to tell because proof dies were often used for business strikes after they were done minting proofs.

The data is out there for the 3 cent silvers - the July 1964 issue of Numismatic Scrapbook prints the tables and the Flynn&Zack book lists the #s of dies used.



I don't know if similar data exists for the 3CN

 

Here’s a theory. Maybe they use the detail of the ribbon below the wreath as the diagnostic? On business strike coins, this detail is faint and lacking the detail of the ribbon closest to the fields, on proof coins, and as with the coin that the OP is showing, this detail is much better defined. I suspect that it has to be something along these lines, but that seems hardly conclusive evidence to differentiate between the strike types given that die alignments and planchet thicknesses can vary within the tolerance needed for this small detail to show.

 

For proofs of that vintage the most telling diagnostic is the squared off rims.

The Philadelphia mint used the medal press and struck the coins more than once. This leads to much better filling of the devices, much sharper lines on the coin and squared off rims.

Even a fairly low grade impaired proof will show signs of the squared rims.