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Seated Half Proof vs MS
Morgan White
Posts: 8,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
Quick question for the seated half experts. For 1890, what are the diagnostics for determining if a coin is proof or MS. My PCGS 64PL coin is below for reference.
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It says on the holder.
This isn’t a diagnostic, per se, or a guarantee…
However, one hint that someone taught me to look for in trying to distinguish certain types of Proof coins from circulation strikes is whether the areas in between the vertical reverse shield stripes display prooflike reflectivity. Based on the designation from PCGS, my guess is that the area I mentioned isn’t PL like the fields are?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
This might be a solid pair of die markers that identifies a proof. I looked at pretty much all of the PCGS Trueviews for Proof, CAM and DCAM of 1890 and all them seem to have a base of the 1 farther placed to the left when lined up on the below denticles as well as a die marker in the upper left of the reverse shield along with a lot of die polish "swirls" in the shield overall. I also looked at many of the business strikes for 1890 and all of them had the 1 lined up to the right. Yours coin appears to be consistent with a business strike. I also include a page from the Complete Guide of Liberty Half Dollars (1993) to show there are only two head and two tail dies known for that year. I could be wrong and also look forward to input from other Seated Half experts.
OP coin
Proof with far left "1" and obverse shield die marker. Note all the die polish swirls in the shield stripes.
Great info, thanks! Here's one that DLRC sold recently and this was their description. Not sure if that's really what confirms it.
From a shockingly low mintage of just 12,000 pieces, comes this supremely nice gem survivor. Frosty, prooflike devices are exceedingly attractive and flashy. Some light die clashing on the reverse adds interest and confirms the business strike.
I checked, no mirrors in that spot.
Also, looking at @LJenkins11 pics, the circulation strike date logotype seems to slope down compared to the proof.