How to distinguish an old coin is proof or not?

Toto2334

Hi all, I would like to ask you is there any easy way to distinguish an old coin was proof or just ordinary when you see it? Thank you.

jmlanzaf

@Toto2334 said:
Hi all, I would like to ask you is there any easy way to distinguish an old coin was proof or just ordinary when you see it? Thank you.

Proofs are much more sharply struck. An experienced collector can usually tell. A novice probably cannot. Sometimes it takes an expert.

99 9% of the time it is not a proof.

BStrauss3

Older proofs don't have the frosted cameo look of the moderns. Look for squared-off rims and fuller, sharper strikes.

Specialist guides may give you specific die markers to look for.

JBK

I once has a 1909 Indian Head cent that looked for all the world like a modern proof - mirrored fields and frosted devices. I showed it to an expert dealer and he immediately knew that is was not a proof. The story was in the rims. They were not as flat and sharp as they would be on a proof coin.

ChrisH821

This doesn't happen to be a 1915 Buffalo Nickel, does it?

moursund

@ChrisH821 said:
This doesn't happen to be a 1915 Buffalo Nickel, does it?

1895 Morgan, perhaps?
😁

Elcontador

Look for sharp, crisp rims as another poster wrote. Proof coins are stuck from different dies and have a limited production run. That said, on some series, it's really hard to tell the difference. The 1881 Shield Nickel comes to mind. The business strike is worth far more than the proof, if memory serves me correctly.

ricko

Rims (sharp, squared) are the first features to check... then details... also check to see if proofs were even made for that year/type. Cheers, RickO

BStrauss3

MODERN proofs are struck from specially prepared dies that may not fit on the circulation strike presses.

Older proof dies were certainly used to strike business strike coins after the proofs were completed. There was a time when proof coins were struck on the Medal press at the Philadelphia Mint, which provided higher tonnage. But the dies were interchangeable - studies of the die marriages prove this.

MFeld

Some information/specifics and pictures might go a long way in getting an answer to your question.

braddick

I purchased recently a Shield nickel I swear was a PROOF (listed as mint state). It was!
I also purchased a Morgan dollar I swear was a (slightly circulated) PROOF and it wasn't!

So, it kind of is on a coin by coin basis although there are certain 'tells' (such as the rims- mentioned above) and other
possible die markers.
It is fun and exciting though to find an unattributed early proof although it now happens much less frequently.

WAYNEAS

I like the post.
Looking forward to more answers of what to look for.
Hope someone can post an illustrated reference book.
Wayne

Toto2334

Hi, thanks for all answers. I will post some pictures to ask what you think.