Business strikes or proof 1876 trade dollar?

shirohniichan2

Years ago I bought this via Heritage in an ANACS slab graded “AU details; Net VF20; plugged-polished.
I’d long looked for a 76 II/II trade dollar to plug a hole in my Library of Coins album, and I’d always been outbid on problem-free examples on the rare occasion they came up at auction.
I’ve never collected or studied proof trade dollars, so I don’t know the markers to distinguish a polished business strike and a polished proof.
If anyone knows, I’d like to learn.

keoj

8

keoj

I'm not at home right now and will give you a better explanation when I can look a few things up. In looking at the image, the coin looks like a Proof. The rims look really flat with a sharp edges. This is a really hard question to answer without seeing the coin in hand. I'll get back to you. Best, Keoj

lermish

Here's a perfect 76 Proof 2/2 to crack out of a holder and put into an album. (Not my coin)

https://ebay.us/m/yvXj9a

keoj

I looked at some of my old notes, and as expected, there are no die diagnostics that one can use to discern PR vs BS intended strike type. The same dies were used to produce both strike types. I would recommend that you look at the quality of the rims and the fields to assist in defining the strike type. The quality of Miss Liberty's headdress beads, stars, denticles definition holistically plays into this as well. Please reach out if you have additional questions or I wasn't clear. Best, Keoj

The_Dinosaur_Man

That looks like a cleaned/polished business strike. Notice how the letters and fine details are surrounded by dullness. A proof coin would shine right through with some frosting on the lettering and relief.

Crypto

95% of the BS 76 2/2 are weakly struck. Even the Proofs are not among the most hammered of issues. I would designate that a proof every time based on the completeness of strike, textures of the the eagle's feathers and the strength of the die chip in the right banner on the Rev which is much softer on the BS. I grade it about 1000-1250$