1857 Large Cent 'small date' question

Patches

I purchased this coin this past summer from a Heritage auction:



This coin is an old little white Anacs holder AU-50. Anyways, my question about this coin...could this be a circulated proof? I've owned several 1857 Large and Small date, Large cents over the years...and this one stuck out to me due to the very strong strike on the reverse. All of my previous MS, AU and XF examples had mushy reverses. The obverse leads me to believe it is not since, since 10 of the 13 stars are softly struck...but I'm hoping an expert can chime in. Thanks!

Walkerguy21D

I'm no expert, but I'd have to agree that it's not a proof.....I also think it may be recolored, but that may be from the photo. But otherwise it's certainly an attractive example of a low mintage date.

renomedphys

Well struck. I like it! I don't think it's a proof. It almost looks like the same die as the N-3 proof, but the date still looks slightly misplaced with regard to the bottom denticles on your coin. Here's an N-3 for camparison:

Patches

ok guys, thanks for the input! Beautiful coin Matt, I can see what you mean with the date placement on the obverse. Someday when I can accumulate enough coins not in PCGS holders I like, I'll try to cross it...I will post with regards to what they say about the color on it.

ModCrewman

The date placement sure looks very similar...if I were smarter I'd do an overlay.

Is it possible that it was a proof "adjustment" strike or a trial strike, that was just released to circulation?

Patches

I don't have good enough graphical software to do an overlay like that, just MS Paint...on a side note, I posted this is an AU-50 grade...it's AU-55 according to Anacs.

LoveMyLiberty

I am not an expert at anything!

Your coin is not a proof ( IMO ) as the tip of the coronet
has a weak strike and appears to be an N-2. Proof coins
were struck from N-3 & N-5 dies, which have a good strike
at the coronet area.
As was stated, your coin does not have the sharp characteristics
of a proof coin. Reference Matt's N-3 and
this registry N-5 example

renomedphys

Maybe I should have stated that the coin I referenced is not mine. I merely researched it through Coinfacts, and found the photo.

I am, however, looking for a nice example, and hope to have the opportunity to purchase one at a less than outlandish price when it comes available

shorecoll

It is also possible that they re-used the proof reverse die to strike business strikes.

Walkerguy21D

The rev of the OP's coin is different than the rev of the sample proof pictured.

ThePennyLady

I agree that I don't believe your example is a proof, just a great business strike. Here's another one for comparison. It's fully struck as well.

MikeInFL

I'm hardly an "expert", but I've never seen a large cent proof with the weakness in the stars and denticles on the obverse to the extent the OP's coin exhibits them. I do not believe it's a proof.

And since we're sharing 1857's, here's a large date with a little red (64 RB):



Have fun...Mike