Home› U.S. Coin Forum

1880 Shield Nickel....proof or business strike? Help me!

BruggsBruggs Posts: 449 ✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I have an 1880 shield nickel that I'm trying to determine if it is a business strike. With what little info is available online, I have concluded that there are coins struck off of the same die as the one I own in PCGS MS holders. Does this make mine a business strike? NO. But it has a chance. I did some further reading and found that several people suggest checking the edge of the coin and see if the coin has the "square" rims and if the rims are of proof appearance. The rims of the coin I have are not "squared up" and are a bit mushy and lacks sharp detail. Does this make mine a business strike? NO. But still a chance. My question to any/all of you....who would I seek advice from to determine whether or not this coin could be a business strike?
Thanks in advance.
Bruggs

Comments

  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,556 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Send Howards a private message. He is the resident expert on Shield nickels.

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • howardshowards Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭
    Post detailed photos and I'll give it a shot.

    But be aware that no one (including TPGs) can give you a definitive answer. The only guy who knows isn't around (the press operator who struck the coin).

    Same dies were used for proof and business strikes, so die markers are of no help.

    Howard
    Howard
    http://www.shieldnickels.net
  • Wolf359Wolf359 Posts: 7,663 ✭✭✭

    Here's a business strike next to a proof:

    Obverse

    Reverse
    Multi-channel listings of coins and inventory management

    Free Trial
  • CoinCrazyPACoinCrazyPA Posts: 2,899 ✭✭✭✭
    I am no expert on these, but it Looks like it all depends on the rims?
    Positive BST transactions: agentjim007, cohodk, CharlieC, Chrischampeon, DRG, 3 x delistamps, djdilliodon, gmherps13, jmski52, Meltdown, Mesquite, 2 x nibanny, themaster, 2 x segoja, Timbuk3, ve3rules, jom, Blackhawk, hchcoin, Relaxn, pitboss, blu62vette, Jfoot13, Jinx86, jfoot13,Ronb

    Successful Trades: Swampboy,
  • MowgliMowgli Posts: 1,219 ✭
    There was an extensive thread on this topic with lots of discussion and pictures. It was posted by Sunnywood April 14, 2003. Some coins do have a way to tell if they are business strikes but not all business strikes have the mark.
    In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    Bruggs, Do you have the ability to photograph or (even easier) scan the coin? Some of the business struck coins from that period do have a prooflike appearance which will be hard to describe/confirm outside what you've already read, but as the cliche goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Good luck....Mike
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    p.s. you might check Heritage auction archives for many, many pictures of this coin in proof and business strike (www.ha.com/coins).
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • howardshowards Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Here's a business strike next to a proof:
    >>



    Those are two different dates, so the comparison is inapt. You must compare two 1880's.

    Howard
    http://www.shieldnickels.net
  • rare1rare1 Posts: 47 ✭✭
    Tom Crabtree is the guy to talk to. He IS the expert on nickels.
  • Wolf359Wolf359 Posts: 7,663 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Here's a business strike next to a proof:
    >>



    Those are two different dates, so the comparison is inapt. You must compare two 1880's. >>



    Why? A proof is a proof. Professionals don't need the same date.
    Multi-channel listings of coins and inventory management

    Free Trial
  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,556 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Here's a business strike next to a proof:
    >>



    Those are two different dates, so the comparison is inapt. You must compare two 1880's. >>



    Why? A proof is a proof. Professionals don't need the same date. >>



    The 1880 nickels are very, very, very difficult to tell apart. There are two die pairs, and both were used to make both proofs and business strikes. Howards and Sunnywood have studied shield nickels for many years. Howards is correct, you need to compare 1880's nickels to figure it out.

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • howardshowards Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Here's a business strike next to a proof:
    >>



    Those are two different dates, so the comparison is inapt. You must compare two 1880's. >>



    Why? A proof is a proof. Professionals don't need the same date. >>



    Because the characteristics of shield nickel proofs differ depending on the year they were struck. 1880s in particular are sometimes very poorly struck, and comparing them to a well-struck proof from another year will give you a misleading impression.
    Howard
    http://www.shieldnickels.net

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Home • U.S. Coin ForumComment As ...