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Any 3CN experts out there?

I just ordered a raw 1883 3CN in VF/XF from JJ Teaparty. I do like Gail and the company and I trust their descriptions, but this coin (as would 1884, 1885, and 1887) make me a bit nervous as to being a circulated proof and not a business strike. The business strikes are more (sometimes much, much more) costly than a proof so it's imperative to validate it's a business strike.
I noticed that neither PCGS nor NGC have any 1883 3CN (MS) below a grade a 40. Am I already in trouble with this coin as far as being 100% authenticatable?
I was fortunate enough to get an 1887 in Choice AU authenticated recently in my collection, but I kept it raw. I realize that when I try to sell, I'll have the same problem trying to convince the buyer but if I get 100% confidence in its strike status I don't mind worrying about a (far?) future sale.
For those that are interested (from memory):
1883 3CN mintages: 4,000 business strikes and 6,600+ proofs (less than 11,000 altogether)
1887 3CN mintages: 5,000 business strikes and 2,900+ proofs (less than 8,000 altogether!)
I noticed that neither PCGS nor NGC have any 1883 3CN (MS) below a grade a 40. Am I already in trouble with this coin as far as being 100% authenticatable?
I was fortunate enough to get an 1887 in Choice AU authenticated recently in my collection, but I kept it raw. I realize that when I try to sell, I'll have the same problem trying to convince the buyer but if I get 100% confidence in its strike status I don't mind worrying about a (far?) future sale.
For those that are interested (from memory):
1883 3CN mintages: 4,000 business strikes and 6,600+ proofs (less than 11,000 altogether)
1887 3CN mintages: 5,000 business strikes and 2,900+ proofs (less than 8,000 altogether!)
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Comments
Bruce Scher
I have run across a couple in the past and even purchased one early on that everyone involved swears was a business strike, only to be authenticated as a proof. The latest one that I am in the process of authenticating (my avatar). Has as far as the diagnostics goes proof vs. business strike, rounded edge, light clash marks on observe and reverse the best example that I have run across. I believe that it really is a business strike, or course I has felt that way about a couple of other too.
No easy task.
MS 1883 Registry Set
I am at work and so do not have access to it, but there is a book, The Ultimate Guide to the U.S. Three Cent Nickel, that has almost every die combination for both PR and MS 3CNs. The book is used is huge and is obviously a labor of love. (I just wish love could have had a slightly better writing style...) The book is also expensive--$175. But if you are a serious collector of 3 CNs, I suspect it's a good book to have around. If you are interested, pm me and when I get home I can give you information about where to buy the book.
Mark
Here are some of the diagnostics that I have run across in many-a-search-of-the-internet. Off the top of my head since I am at work. The easiest one (IMO) is the edge of the coin.
Proof has a square edge
Business strike has a much more rounded edge
This one makes sense and certainly easier to spot un-holdered
Proof dentils are more squared.
Business strike has a much more rounded.
This I have a problem with for a couple of reasons. Most proofs were only stuck once, not twice, but not all. Makes it easy right. Some of the earlier business strikes had nice cleaned dies, but then again there were more proofs then business strikes in 1883.
Proofs supposedly have not die clashes.
Business strikes commonly have die clashes.
IMO, another subjective diagnostic.
Proofs have much smoother surfaces.
Business strikes (because of die clashes) are not as smooth. Also planchet prep.
That is the quick ones off the top of my head.
Also, as Mark mentioned the book with all the die varieties. I think I got sticker shock when I saw the price and couldn't justify it for just the one year I was looking for. However, I have gotten more and more interested in the series since I started this and it certainly is a very underappreciated/undervalued series.
MS 1883 Registry Set
I agree with you on the book. It seems way too expensive for the amount of time and information I need from it. I haven't joined the ANA yet but plan to in the next month or so and I'll request that book to borrow it for awhile from their library. I guess if I really get desparate I can drive 1 hour down to Colorado Springs and go directly to their library for myself.