Twenty Cent Piece - Pictures added

justcollecting

How can I tell if an 1875 twenty cent piece is a proof or highly polished. I have one that has mirrored fields that reach into the devices. I don't think that someone could polish between the points of the stars. I guess the other possibility is that the coin has been over dipped. The devices are not frosted but are not mirrored like the fields.

Thanks

ms70

Got a pic?

TomB

Images would help. Additionally, how the coin was obtained, and for how much, might also give some indication.

michiganboy

2 x on lets see an image and especially of the rims at an angle

AMRC

Post a photo here. Mystery solved.

oih82w8

Is it mint marked (S or CC)?

justcollecting

pictures added

asheland

Kinda looks like a proof to me.

Walkerguy21D

I don't know whether the OP's coin is a Proof or not, but I do know a number of the 75P's business strike coins have mirrored fields, including one that I own. Billjones and a few other members could provide more information.

USMarine6

Astorat should be along soon to give you the best answer but I would have to say that it is.

yosclimber

Member astrorat has a very nice website:
doubledimes.com/1875P-Summary.html
And the analysis for the 1875-P says that both known dies were used to make proofs,
so die markers won't be sufficient to classify it as proof or non-proof.

justcollecting

Thanks yosclimber
I was able to determine that it is an obverse 1 with reverse A. May be hard to determine if it is a proof.

astrorat

Based on the images, primarily the close-up image, I don't think your coin is a proof. The denticles are not very sharp and the rim is not squared off as you would expect with a proof. Also, the coin has been cleaned, which may add to the reflectivity. The cleaning is apparent based on the haze between the points of the star and underneath the serif of the 'T.'

Yes, it is a BF-1 die marriage which is far more common than the rare BF-2.