Specimen Strike vs Proof...Meaning?

OneCent

How exactly does a "specimen" strike differ from a flat out proof?

Does it mean that the specimen coin was not struck with proof dies per se? If this is the case than what type of dies were used to strike the specimens? New, unused regular dies?

Never quite understood the differentiation between the two...

Wolf359

No documentation of a proof being minted, but it walks talks and looks like a proof. So it's labeled a "Specimen". NGC has several listed as specimens, 1895-O Morgan
dollar, etc.

RWB

In most instances it is called “specimen” because the coins looks like something unusual or special was done, but there is no reliable documentation. It’s a way of saying the coin is “different but we don’t know what it was supposed to be.”

In a very few instances, we have documentation indicating that a coin was given special treatment. A good example is the 1921-P proof-like Morgan dollar in the Connecticut State Library (Mitchelson) collection. We have letters from the curator of the US Mint collection stating that he went to the pressroom and personally caught the first few pieces struck from new dies on a towel. The letters accompanied the coins to the Connecticut collection. Thus, these 1921 Morgans should legitimately be describes as “specimen” pieces, if they ever come to market. (Other examples went to other collections and these are likely the “Zerbe proofs” some make a big fuss about.)

MrEureka

My take on it is that "specimens" are clearly and intentionally struck to a higher standard than business strikes, but not quite to the standard required to reach proof status. Usually - but not always - it's a judgment call, not science, and not based on documentation. For that reason, many "specimens" are controversial.

firstmint

For entertainment sake, read Breen's proof coin encyclopedia.

Coinosaurus

Another specimen example is the first Peace Dollar which went to President Harding, per the NYT 1/1/1922. (RWB, any idea where that coin is?)

The 1906-D $20 has associated Mint documentation from Denver indicating specimen status - see Stack 10/16/2007:4562.

There are several sources which indicate that the first 1870-CC dollar went to President Grant, but I have located no contemporary documentation to support this.

RWB

The first 1921 Peace dollar off the production presses was reserved for Presideint Harding. The coin is among his papers in Ohio. It is not special in appearance any way, except being the first coin off new dies. (Note: Breen's comments about the coin are a fabrication.)

MrEureka

Another documented Specimen is the 1878 VAM-9 Morgan. The trick is knowing which are "specimens" and which are later strikes from the same dies.

RWB

The first Morgan Dollar was struck on Press #4. It is currently on display at the Hayes Library and Museum in Fremont, Ohio.

As with the Harding coin, the first Morgan dollar is special only because it was the first circulation piece struck. Physically, it is like others from the same dies.

Gemineye

<< <i>The first 1921 Peace dollar off the production presses was reserved for Presideint Harding. The coin is among his papers in Ohio. It is not special in appearance any way, except being the first coin off new dies. (Note: Breen's comments about the coin are a fabrication.) >>



Now .... THAT's what I call a "First Strike™"..!!

GoldenEyeNumismatics

<< <i>Another specimen example is the first Peace Dollar which went to President Harding, per the NYT 1/1/1922. (RWB, any idea where that coin is?)

The 1906-D $20 has associated Mint documentation from Denver indicating specimen status - see Stack 10/16/2007:4562.

There are several sources which indicate that the first 1870-CC dollar went to President Grant, but I have located no contemporary documentation to support this. >>



Grant received the 3rd 1870-CC dollar. Governor Blasdel of Nevada received the 2nd. Number 1 went to a personal friend of Abe Curry.

7Jaguars

Norweb sale of Canadian in about 1999 had an explanation of these in the forward section...