Columbian Expo Proof question

iceman0xh

I know 103 1892 proofs were struck, does anyone have the census on how many are still known to exist? I just picked up a Columbian expo at a local shop and when looking at it closer it is very prooflike so I wanted to see how many are around

RWB

They were called proofs, but appear to have been struck on a normal press, not a medal press as were real proofs. Check Kevin Flynn's book on commemoratives for more info.

Broadstruck

Many PL's have been sold as proof over the years on both the 1892 and 1893's.

The same has occurred with the PL Isabella quarters.

garrynot

The description of the PCGS PR65 sold in the Stack's 3/14/2006 New York Connisseur's Collection stated that a few dozen have been authenticated. I dont know how to do the linky thing, but it is easy to find in their archives.

commoncents05

It's my understanding that PCGS will no longer certify Proof Isabellas or Columbian Halves due to a lack of diagnostics.

-Paul

RWB

I've got some old X-rays they can borrow...

IrishMikey

I thought that the Breen/Swiatek book on commems listed a few good diagnostics for the
Proof coins. Can't seem to locate my copy right now.

magikbilly

Hi,

Do a thorough search here. I recall contributing some diagnostics to a thread about an apparent Proof own by...was it JaderareCains? It was around the time of that ridiculous 1895 NOT Proof Morgan $ monster thread.

One of the Columbian Proof threads

Edited to add link and correct link.

Best,
Eric

keets

well, regarding the jade coin, the owner was convinced beyond any doubt that it was indeed a Proof so any objectivity was smothered by his bias. he wanted the coin to be a Proof and simply rejected any opinion contrary to that and embraced all who agreed. the trouble with the issue is that the coins that are thought to be Proofs weren't struck as such. remember, the term "Proof" has nothing to do with how a coin looks and what its identifying characteristics are, "Proof" describes a method of manufacture which entails the special preperation of planchets, the special preperations of dies and the special operating parameters of the press.

simply striking a regular planchet on new production dies at a slightly higher pressure doesn't make a coin a Proof, it makes it an early strike with Prooflike characteristics, hence the PL designation offered by a TPGS. these Columbians are a tough one to sort out which makes it imperative to trust and defer to PCGS/NGC. they are simply better able to assess such coins.

ColonelJessup

NJcoincrank knows a bit about them too. PCGS PR66 displayed at FUN.

cmerlo1

I submitted one to both NGC and ANACS (the coin was scratched and at the time wouldn't grade) that I thought had a shot. Deep mirrors, hammered strike, wire rims, and a little cameo, and it even had the look of a proof from the era. Business strike from both places. It would be interesting to see a pic of a coin that is certified as a proof.