1884 3 cent nickel

coolest

Can anyone tell the difference between a PF30 and a VF30?
Any die markers?
Thanks!

CaptHenway

I would say there is no way to tell them apart.

Sometimes you cannot tell them apart even in brand-new condition.

coolest

would PCGS make a guess

coolest

anyone?

CaptHenway

I don't think they "guess."
You have my answer.

originalisbest

If they cannot determine due to wear, and as Tom says, there's no clear way to tell, I believe PCGS would err on the side of caution and call it a PF30, given the higher mintage of the proofs for that year.

coolest

PCGS has graded 8 coins as VF35 or less.

I think someone knows something.

STONE

I sold a collection of 3 cent nickels about 4 years ago.

Many of the pieces I sold went to a collector of 3cN's who told me he thought I
had a collection of circulated proofs (especially for the tougher dates). I don't
know if that's true or not, and I can't recall that Board Member's name, but
thought I'd share this as it's the least amount of info I can provide

dpoole

One of the die pairs for 1884 was used for some of the proofs and all of the business strikes for that year, such that no die characteristics could be identified for sure to distinquish a proof from a business strike. You'd be left, then, to distinguish the 1884 proof from the business strike based on characteristic proof-business strike differences in general for the series. The only possible marker is some subtle evidence of die polishing applied to the reverse in particular before the dies were used for the business strikes.

Clearly, though, all such general distinctions (sharpness of detail in particular) and any polishing evidence would be long gone by the time you're looking at a 30 coin.

(ref: The Ultimate Guide to U.S. Three Cent Nickels" Allan Guifford, 2003)

CaptHenway

<< <i>PCGS has graded 8 coins as VF35 or less.

I think someone knows something. >>



But are they separated by origin? Or is that just the generic, default grade for circulated pieces?

I would assume that they are not separated by origin, or you would not have asked your original question.