| Author |
 Replies: 27 / Views: 4,019 |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
I won this 1883 "With Cents" Liberty nickel on ebay today. It was offered by a reputable seller as a proof coin, although a raw one, and comes with a thirty day return privilege. These are the seller's photos. I enlarged and examined them before bidding and the coin does look like a toned proof to me with clean obverse surfaces. There appear to be a few light hairlines on the reverse field, but it doesn't look cleaned to me. My only concern is that the left corn stalk on the reverse is not fully struck up, which I would expect on a proof coin. I won it for a very reasonable price and won't be brokenhearted if it turns out to be a business strike, but a proof coin would be nice. I will post more photos when I receive the coin and can see how reflective the coin is. Thanks for any opinions offered.   Paul Bulgerin
|
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Certainly doesn't look like a proof in these pics, as I'm sure you know.  Would like to see the surface flash.  Edited by Coinfrog
09/29/2019 9:15 pm
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Does not look proof to me especially the reverse . Maybe your time for a new pair of glasses . |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
Could be! Although I passed my driver's license renewal without having to wear my glasses back in May. The joy of being 63 years old.
I do need some "cheaters", though for up-close reading.
I'll give it a good check when I get it and let folks know what I think having seen it "in hand".
I bid knowing it has a 30 day return if it's not a proof. The obverse does look proof to me. The reverse, not so much.
Paul Bulgerin
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Sounds like you're covered, good. Don't think many of us see why this appears to be a proof, but we're standing by. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I have definitely been wrong before, but I thought I'd take a chance on it.
As I said, I got it for a reasonable price, so if it is a circulation strike, I will still be happy . . . unless it has been cleaned.
We'll see what Herb, my mailman, brings me.
Paul Bulgerin
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8938 Posts |
I'd say it's a proof. What gives it away to me? The denticles and the rims. They look exactly as a period proof should. Squared off rims and sharp denticles aren't found on business strikes often. Coupled with the defined obverse, I'd be in the proof camp.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7018 Posts |
Never the less, nice looking nickel
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I do own one proof Liberty "V" Nickel; a Proof-64 1901. I checked it and found that the left corn stalk is also weakly struck on this coin as well. That does lift my hopes a bit as I wait for the coin to be delivered and see exactly what I got. Here's the reverse of my proof 1901.  Here, again, is the 1883 I purchased yesterday.  Paul Bulgerin
|
|
Valued Member
United States
150 Posts |
I'm leaning towards proof as well for same reason as what Grape said - rims look proofy.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1378 Posts |
I'm leaning towards business strike with the reverse. I expect to see sort of pop to these unless they are in worn condition.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
It would be expensive to send to a TPGS just to find out for sure.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I received the coin today and have taken a few photos. When held at an angle is certainly looks to have reflective proof surfaces to me, but they are hard to capture with my camera. I'll keep trying to see if I can take a photo that shows the reflective surfaces. The area around the V on the reverse is toned a light blue and not really reflective like the rest of the coin. It is an exceptionally clean coin with no noticeable marks on either side.     Paul Bulgerin
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8938 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
A couple more photos shot at angles, with the coin in a 2x2 flip, trying to capture the proof fields. The mark on the second photo is on the flip and not the coin. I will keep trying to get a good photo.   Paul Bulgerin
|
| |
Replies: 27 / Views: 4,019 |
Posted 09/29/2019 9:21 pm
