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Posted 08/12/2011 4:13 pm
How do the edges look? If they're squared off, it's definitely a Proof.
Here's a more vital point. If the coin "looks" like a Proof, very sharp devices, rim, denticles, and flat fields, might matter more than if it happens to have been struck with the intention to be a business strike. Personally, I want my business strike to look like a no-brainer business strike and have lustrous, not Proof-like fields. For a Morgan dollar (or a Seated coin), maybe Proof-like fields for a business strike it great to have (and add value), but for key date 3CN (esp. 1884/1885) it's a different ball game. People (think about your potential buyer) will always question the coin (EVEN if it's in a "good" holder) if it smells like a Proof.
If you get Alan Giffords book on 3CN (it ain't cheap!), he gives very precise diagnostics for business versus Proof strikes for most/all dies (esp. with key years like this) and all dates.
There are very subtle differences for 1884 and 1885. I think 1885 has like a 2 degree rotation difference between the two types of strikes.
Personally, I give up trying to buy either the 1884 or 1885 raw. I've tried on multiple occassions and I've always returned the coins as unsure. I even had a numismatic expert evaluate one of my purchases and it was inconclusive. The only way to be certain, is to buy a no-brainer one that matches all known business strike diagnostics and/or buy it in a recent PCGS holder. I hate to advertise a particular service, but unfortunately both services have goofed on this coin. Recently, PCGS has advanced its diagnostics research on these coins (esp. the 1885).
Of course, if you buy one of these no-brainer business strikes in a holder (AND get it CAC'd!) you'll have paid many thousands of dollars.
The Giffords book has basically assured me that my 1883 and 1887 coins are business strikes. The book gives awesome detail and all dates, though.
Here's a more vital point. If the coin "looks" like a Proof, very sharp devices, rim, denticles, and flat fields, might matter more than if it happens to have been struck with the intention to be a business strike. Personally, I want my business strike to look like a no-brainer business strike and have lustrous, not Proof-like fields. For a Morgan dollar (or a Seated coin), maybe Proof-like fields for a business strike it great to have (and add value), but for key date 3CN (esp. 1884/1885) it's a different ball game. People (think about your potential buyer) will always question the coin (EVEN if it's in a "good" holder) if it smells like a Proof.
If you get Alan Giffords book on 3CN (it ain't cheap!), he gives very precise diagnostics for business versus Proof strikes for most/all dies (esp. with key years like this) and all dates.
There are very subtle differences for 1884 and 1885. I think 1885 has like a 2 degree rotation difference between the two types of strikes.
Personally, I give up trying to buy either the 1884 or 1885 raw. I've tried on multiple occassions and I've always returned the coins as unsure. I even had a numismatic expert evaluate one of my purchases and it was inconclusive. The only way to be certain, is to buy a no-brainer one that matches all known business strike diagnostics and/or buy it in a recent PCGS holder. I hate to advertise a particular service, but unfortunately both services have goofed on this coin. Recently, PCGS has advanced its diagnostics research on these coins (esp. the 1885).
Of course, if you buy one of these no-brainer business strikes in a holder (AND get it CAC'd!) you'll have paid many thousands of dollars.
The Giffords book has basically assured me that my 1883 and 1887 coins are business strikes. The book gives awesome detail and all dates, though.
Edited by Prethen
08/12/2011 4:24 pm
08/12/2011 4:24 pm
, and being an 1884 is just a bonus
... I can't wait to see how this turns out, it looks like I'll have some popcorn in the meantime
.
