1885 3 cent nickel business strike vs proof
zas107
Posts: 831 ✭✭✭
Has anyone figured out a definitive way to tell the difference between these yet? I have one that I think is a business strike. The reverse has roughly a 2-3 degree rotation. I have a proof that appears to have a 6-7 degree rotation. I have attached photos below. If anyone can tell me if it is a proof or business strike I would greatly appreciate it! The photos do not show the rotation (looks more rotated in the photos due to the way I laid the coin down)
1
Comments
I'll bite. I have read the comments of specialists on these coins and didn't find them helpful in all cases. AFAIK, unless the coin is a drop-dead MS, the safest path is to call the coin a circulated Proof. This goes for the 83 -85.
PS your image is not sharp enough to see any of the micro-diagnostics.
According to Gifford's book, your coin is the P01,
judging from the date position, the "digit filling" in the top of the 5, and the hair detail in the lower curl.
The B04 was struck with the same dies as the P01.
Gifford says the digit filling and full hair detail are not visible on the B04 due to less striking pressure.
His book is out of print, but available on the Newman Numismatic Portal:
https://archive.org/details/guideusthreecent2003gifford/page/n417
Thank you for the replies! The date on the one I have seems to match the B4, however the hair is more consistent with the p1.