Seated Dime Proof Or Polished?

Any luster whatsoever left at this point of wear is not natural. Not a chance.

I don't know either how to tell proof coins with coins this old either. My first impression was that it was polished. I just noticed it was more reflective than the other cleaned coins I have. Perhaps it was used as jewelry and encased in something. Come to think of it I have some V nickels that are like this too and people mentioned they were most likely polished and used as some sort of jewelery. I know Numismedia only lists values for mint state proof coins since most never go into circulation. I have read in roll searching forums and people mention proofs they find but these were modern and come from a certain mint and have certain characteristics. I don't know how you would do the same with classic coins. I bet there are some floating around, dumped into junk silver bags. I really only have one proof round that is a replica of Barber's version of the Double Eagle awarded to St. Gaudens struck in .999 silver instead of gold. That of course is in mint state condition. Come to think of it silver trays and containers are polished and they are reflective. This was obviously polished using the same technique.

I think that what confused me about it was that the devices are not reflective but the fields are a lot like a proof coin. Of course the polish may be old and wore off on the high points.

Yes, I had to think about that for a minute on why I started thinking it might be a proof. The fields are mirrored but the devices aren't like they had been frosted. It is certainly better to have a worn down proof than a polished up coin. The polish could have worn down on the high points of the coin which now that I took a second look, I see small reflective pieces on the reverse devices. On another note though, how do they make a proof? Do they start with a mirror like planchet, stamp the coin, then frost the devices later?

I have a few V nickels that are obviously polished and possibly used in jewelry and the fields and devices are shiny but not as mirrored as the fields of this coin. I should look up some Seated dime proofs and see what they look like compared to a business strike. I can compare this dime to other dimes as well to see if there is a difference like the rims you mentioned.

I know I just read something about date placement being different with a proof Seated dime and business strike. What is mean by wired rims? I read wired rims are a sign of a proof. I have another 1891, I will compare it to that.

It is below: