Bill

bpurcell22

How do I distinguish between proof copper nickel three cent coins and higher grade business strikes?

MarkKelley

Proofs have squared rims and mirrored edges. Business strikes do not.

291fifth

You are probably best off sticking to coins that are already slabbed by a major TPG like PCGS. Proof production during some of the years three cent nickels were produced can be hard to distinguish from the mint state versions.

ricko

@bpurcell22.... Welcome aboard.... The advice above is very good... get the Redbook and some coin specific books, review internet sources, there are many. Also, keep asking questions here... Good luck, Cheers, RickO

yosclimber

It can be quite difficult, because often the proof dies were then used for business strikes,
so you can't use the die markers like date position in those cases.
Allan Gifford's book has plates for most or all of the proof dies, so you can use it to sometimes rule out a coin as a proof.
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/555545

Gary Rosner has nice photos of die markers for 1871, 1872, 1873, 1875, 1878 proofs:
https://www.3centnickel.com/proof-analysis/
The 1871 page can be viewed at:
https://www.3centnickel.com/proof-analysis/1871-proofs/

asheland

Some proof 3 cent nickels can look like a business strike. Better buy one already slabbed.

CaptHenway

@asheland said:
Some proof 3 cent nickels can look like a business strike. Better buy one already slabbed.

This.