1968 To 1974 S Mint LMC's - Proof Or Business Strike?

Thanks. The reason I ask is that after searching about 6 penny boxes I have a couple coins from this date range which are in MS condition (or possibly very bad PF condition). I was trying to figure out if they were examples of business strikes aging extremely well or proof's getting beat up during some circulation. I'll have to take a closer look when I get home.

Maybe I should start collecting circulated proof coins (joking). That'd be a unique collection.

Okay...clarification...

"Proof" is NOT a condition. It is a type of strike made with special dies. There should be NO reason why the two could not be differentiated in any grade on a Memorial cent. They are THAT different.

Proof memorial cents have very sharp details, squared rims, and mirror shiny fields. Many of them, especially those minted 1968 and beyond, have what is known as "cameo" - the bust and other devices will be frosted, and the fields will be solid mirror-like.

Circulation strike coins almost NEVER have ANY of these characteristics, and will never have all of them.

If you have question as to what a proof coin looks like, order a few from some place and take a peek. They are so different you'll eventually wonder how you could have been confused...really.

I was a little sloppy with my working on the previous post. Looking at the rim, it doesn't look squared. Something about it looked 'different' at first, but definitely not a proof after further inspection. No loss. I still have a nicely minted coin :) Thanks for the help.