| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
n/a
deleted
51 Posts |
 Posted - 06/22/2009 : 23:14:13
|
I think this has been covered on here before but I'm not sure where.
I found my first proof penny while hand-sorting--a 1996-S. Not in the greatest shape, but clearly a proof coin!
What are the odds?
|
|
|
Corsair
Penny Hoarding Member
811 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2009 : 10:35:07
|
| What are the odds? Well, assuming that I've done somewhere in the vicinity of 400,000 pennies and haven't found any, I'd say about 400,000:1. |
So long, Realcent 1. Come visit us at Realcent.org! |
 |
|
|
PreservingThePast
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2009 : 14:07:18
|
quote:
Originally posted by Sunshine29
I think this has been covered on here before but I'm not sure where.
I found my first proof penny while hand-sorting--a 1996-S. Not in the greatest shape, but clearly a proof coin!
What are the odds?
I can't help you with the odds. Statistics wasn't my area of math expertise. 
However, I can say congratulations on a good find! I have yet to come across a proof coin myself.
Continued success.
Enjoy. |
|
|
|
buyingsilvers
Penny Collector Member
441 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2009 : 14:15:51
|
I've only found 3 so far. The last one was in the batch I mentioned in the other thread alongside a lot of other"shiny" 60s pennies.
Picture really isn't so hot, and the light source is on the right side, nearer to the non-proof penny
.
EDIT: Note the one on the right isn't a proof. Just posted for comparison purposes.
 |
Edited by - buyingsilvers on 06/25/2009 14:11:14 |
|
|
|
PreservingThePast
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2009 : 09:16:20
|
I've only found 3 so far. The last one was in the batch I mentioned in the other thread alongside a lot of other"shiny" 60s pennies.
Picture really isn't so hot, and the light source is on the right side, nearer to the non-proof penny
Buyingsilvers...the coin on the left is a proof coin?
If so, then OOPS, I may have found a lot of those and not known it.
Maybe we are not referring to the same thing with the use of the word proof. I thought that it was a special coin that was "minted/manufactured" in a very special process giving the coin its sharpness of details, etc.
Can someone help me out here so I won't throw away any more if the pictures are correct??? Please let me know what to look for to distinguish these from regular shiny coins. Thanks for any help.
|
|
|
|
brian0918
Penny Collector Member
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2009 : 12:41:45
|
| I don't know that they're proof coins. They may simply have been cleaned. Proofs should have high quality surfaces, may be mirror-like, frosted, with a lot of cameo. Although if they've been in circulation, maybe that nice surface wears off. Then I don't think you can tell the difference. |
"The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and masters. And intends to be the master." -- Ayn Rand
Searched: $2230 Nickels; Liberty: 1; Buffalo: 4; War: 20; 2009: 2; 2010D: 8 |
|
|
|
sheba
Penny Pincher Member
USA
191 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2009 : 13:27:04
|
From my limited "2 cents worth"perspective, the 1963 (the left coin) is definitely a proof. The rim looks sharp and even and the 'fields'(?) .... the backgrounds have that mirror-like quality that most all proofs have. Details, lettering, image, etc. are all nice and even and sharp although 'wear' has removed a lot of the desirable qualitites of a proof coin.
I just recently got started sorting rolls ..... but being retired have been able to set aside quie a few ... both for copper content and for numismatic potential. In the 500+ rolls I've been through, have not found any proofs or IHC, but have found a couple '43 stealies and several early date/mm wheaties.
Mainly its been relaxing and fun.
hope you find lots more proofs!
sheba |
woof ... wag ... whine |
|
|
|
buyingsilvers
Penny Collector Member
441 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2009 : 14:08:21
|
quote:
Originally posted by brian0918
I don't know that they're proof coins. They may simply have been cleaned. Proofs should have high quality surfaces, may be mirror-like, frosted, with a lot of cameo. Although if they've been in circulation, maybe that nice surface wears off. Then I don't think you can tell the difference.
The coin on the left is a proof and somewhat dirty. The one on the right is a coin that I posted for comparison purposes. The picture quality is terrible, for which I apologize. The reflection of the coin itself is blazing, and you can see reflections in the fields themselves. When you see one, it really is unmistakable, even if dirty.
I really wish I could take better pictures. I tried to take pictures to show the difference in the rim height, but that one didn't come out so well.
The design of the penny has changed over the years, so it actually looks a lot different than my late 90s proof.
Like shiba mentioned, the proof itself is impaired due to being in circulation. If graded, it wouldn't be a PF60. |
Edited by - buyingsilvers on 06/25/2009 14:17:28 |
|
|
|
PreservingThePast
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2009 : 17:15:11
|
Thanks for the tips, info, etc.
It is definitely going to take a lot of training for me to learn how to distinguish a proof penny other than maybe an S after about 1974, or am I incorrect in this also?
Guess the local coin dealer will have me pestering him as my transportation allows to please look at more of my coins to help me learn the ins and outs of proofs and if any I have might be that, etc.
|
|
|
|
Country
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3121 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2009 : 20:00:23
|
1975-S pennies to date are all proofs.
1968-S to 1974-S: both proofs circulation strikes were minted.
1936 to 1964 (Philadelphia no mint mark) proofs were struck.
One of the best ways to tell if you've got a proof versus and early proof-like circulation strike is to compare a real proof penny with your coin. One of the details you may notice is the raised rim and sharpness of the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST". Look at the "WE" on the coin on the left versus the coin on the right. Proof coins have sharp details because they are struck multiple times. While toned, the 1963 still retains some of the proof shine in the field area. On the reverse, compare the sharpness of the Lincoln memorial on both coins.
I think those of you who think the 1963 is a proof and the 1964 is not are correct.
You must be logged in to see this link. |
---> Come to the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
– Theodore Roosevelt
|
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
51 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2009 : 21:04:50
|
Here is my proof compared to a regular coin. The mirrored surface is scratchy. |
|
|
|
SANITARIUM_INMATE
Penny Pincher Member
211 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2009 : 07:46:48
|
| It may be scratchy but it is still nice to find one. Not much of a premium on it but still a nice conversation piece found in the wild. |
|
|
|
PreservingThePast
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2009 : 14:08:07
|
Thanks very much to Country and others for all of the tips about proof coins.
Continued success. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Proof Pennies
Forum Locked
