2007-03-16 13:11:59 · 2 answers · asked by Derrick J 2 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Prior to 1936 frosted proof were issued, these have a brilliant mirror like field with contrasting dull or frosted design. A lot of silver dollars have a deep proof like surface but are not proofs. The give away is the design is not struck as well as a proof. I have some dollars that have great proof like fields, but just don't have the detail a proof should have. Be careful of coins that are buffed up to look like proofs, under magnification you will see tiny scratches all over the surface and a great lack of detail.
2007-03-16 13:31:46 · answer #1 · answered by Taiping 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lack of a mint mark (in pre-1965 US coins) is a fair start.
Sharp edges in the details, lettering and reeded/milled/lettered edge ( on coins that have these edges to prevent debasement of value by way of filing off bits)
Sometimes a "perfect" commercial strike is rarer than a proof strike. I'm not a dollar collector so I don't track values (tho the 1921 Peace Dollar is quite fetching and a good companion for the St. Gaudens $20) but information is out there.
2007-03-16 20:10:34 · answer #2 · answered by ron w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋