How can you tell this is a proof?

mcmxi

Besides the label..

librtyhead

it is what it is.

DickyBetz

Interesting.

MrEureka

Although it's not obvious in the photo that the coin is a proof, it may be obvious in person.

Also, there are reverse die scratches on the business strikes that do not appear on the proofs, so it should be possible to differentiate a proof from a business strike however worn the piece may be.

carl

so what is the story behind this coin? Did you buy it that way? Did you buy the coin and send it in for grading? How much did you pay for it if not to personal? Are the first photos after the coin was removed from the slab? Are the photos prior to slabbing? Just a lot of questions.

Regulated

I just use the force.

keets

i would think it'd be possible to tell in hand from sharpness of strike(even though the high point detail is worn), the strike at the denticles and the flatness of the fields.

librtyhead

<< <i>Although it's not obvious in the photo that the coin is a proof, it may be obvious in person.

Also, there are reverse die scratches on the business strikes that do not appear on the proofs, so it should be possible to differentiate a proof from a business strike however worn the piece may be. >>

I hope so I have one at pcgs now!

braddick

Rims.
More boxed shape.

mcmxi

I bought it as an VFish (discounted for the rim ding). It had very little luster or eye appeal, and sent it to NCSfor some help. This is one of the pitfalls I didn't think of. I figured it wouldn't grade because of a rim ding, but having it slabbed as genuine would help any later sale. I think the may be the only year that a proof is worth less than business in this condition. I am however the proud new owner of a proof Morgan. Now I guess I have to put together a complete set of circ damaged proofs.

The photos are from when I got it back from NCS today.

bhartman35

I'm confused. I thought a proof was supposed to be a pristine specimen with cameo, the whole 9 yards. Once it gets obvious wear like that, how can it still be called "proof"?

DaveG

"Proof" is a method of manufacture, not a description of condition.

RYK

Usually it says so on the holder.

CaptHenway

<< <i>Although it's not obvious in the photo that the coin is a proof, it may be obvious in person.

Also, there are reverse die scratches on the business strikes that do not appear on the proofs, so it should be possible to differentiate a proof from a business strike however worn the piece may be. >>



Right on, Andy. On a business strike, if you look at the eagle's claw to your right (the eagle's left) and look at the talon sticking our to your left, there is a horizontal die scratch above that talon. A different die pair was used for the Proofs.
Tom D.

numonebuyer

You simply have to count the number of reeds on the coins edge. If it has 179 then it is a proof 1894 Morgan. If it has 189 then it is a business strike 1894 Morgan.

Please refer to Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan & Peace Dollars, Fourth Edition by Leroy C. Van Allen & A. George Mallis, Page 129, Figure 7-4 Morgan Dollar Edge Reeding.

mcmxi

I keep coming up with 149?

numonebuyer

One hundred and Fifty Seven (157) is the minimum number of reed edges in the entire collection of Morgan dollars. The maximum number of reed edges for the Morgan dollar series is 194.