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Proof coins
GEMan
Posts: 60 ✭✭
I received this in my change a ways back.Up until last night iI thought it was a proof that had been in circulation awhile.My question is will a proof coin always stand out above regular strike even after being in circulation awhile? The toning is beautiful in hand and sharp strike.Unfortunately not full steps.Please excuse my novel posts I'll try and get better with that,thanks!
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This one is a business strike.
Yes, a proof will stand out even after it has been circulated.
To be honest, there is nothing to me that looks proof about that coin. Proof coins of that era have mirrored backgrounds and frosted devices. Furthermore, 1979 proof sets were minted in San Francisco so it would have an S mint mark.
With very few exceptions (I've seen only one) "modern" Proofs from circulation will be easy to detect. Usually lots of mirror remains and he rims are usually very wide compared to the business strikes. The rims of your coin look nothing like a Proof.
Many "vintage" proofs look like business strikes or P/L's.
May I ask...
What makes you think this is a proof?
Is there something on this coin that strikes you as a proof vs a business strike?
Proof coins go through an entirely different minting process which leads to the different characteristics
between the two. This can be tough at first until you closely examine both and understand the different processes.
As a kid I never understood what was meant by squared rims or squared letters. It does take some experience.
Put in the time required and the benefits fall into place.
Thank you for that! Maybe I can now answer that question for someone else in the future.Always trying to educate myself.Thanks ifthevamzarockin
As the others have said, it is not a proof. Look for the remains of highly mirrored surfaces. They are easy to spot but keep in mind that circulated proofs have little or no collector interest.
Even after you have been doing this hobby for years you can still learn something new every day.
Knowledge is king in this hobby.
Pics help; Coin Facts:
1979 S PR
1979 MS
Those coinfacts pictures sure are well done!
My YouTube Channel
Again still learning thanks jbk for the info on the 79 I didn't research that particular coin but to me was a definite keeper.Thanks for all yalls knowledge! To jrocco I never really focused on it that much.Its like no other 79 I've come across but I haven't searched any BU nickel rolls either.I do own some older proofs that I should have compared with.Im going to start buying some older Bu rolls,think that will also help me to see.I mainly hunt mixed bank rolls and customer wrapped.So it's few and far between that I come across something as nice as that,to me anyway.
Just be aware that proof sets from the mid 1960s backward will mostly have coins that do not show the frosted details that "modern" proof coins have.
Coins like that are treasure to me! I do appreciate all your input.Definatelg 100% helpful.
Yeah that I do know,I have a 51,52,53 proof nickels.Actually my only proof nickels that I picked up at a pawn shop aways back.Im a Lincoln penny guy at heart,love the coppers.
I have found the occasional proof coin in circulation... It was quite obvious though.... Cheers, RickO
There are many "dead" proof sets or sets where 1 or 2 coins are screamers, the rest are duds. AFter they pile up, unsold, they are finally given away in change. Not uncommon at a coin show to get proof change.
Other proof sets were gutted for silver, and the remainder spent.
Check on ebay. There are rolls of proof coins, so someone somewhere is breaking the sets, and, my guess, the proof rolls are the ones that do not have a real single coin market.