1888 Three Cent PF65?

Evaluating is unpossible. The slab is scratched and smeared, disfiguring everything underneath. However, you can expect a TPG to give Proof 3CN's some slack on strike quality since they were darn near impossible to strike properly. This could be a 67 with points deducted for strike weakness and with those tiny pictures and a bad slab we'd never know.

Ok, posted at the same time as Dave.

I am just learning what to look at, and that was not what I expecting for a Pr65, so I need to keep reading.

(Got to say, my first thought was that it was a fake)

I realize this is just your opinion, but in part, it's just wrong. I don't think I've ever seen the LIBERTY as "weak". It's incused and it's not meant to stand out or be bold. I suppose a bad die could mess that up, but that would not be the norm.

Many collectors share your sentiments and find the coin unappealing to collect since there really aren't any varieties nor any mint marks.

However, the coin has tremendous appeal among other segments of collectors for other reasons such as its denomination, simple design, and historical significance.

I'm with Prethren I love these critters! That was a heck of a deal on that coin, prices have been falling for a while on this series and now is probably a good time to buy, a few months ago this was a $600 coin. Sold for $448.00 bargain!