Unfortunately not in the ?Mint Error? variety, but in the understanding of coins expending money sort? this one truly is my insufficiently_thoughtful_person novice error?

I was minding my own business, surfing the internet auction sites when the opportunity to purchase some graded coins with no reserve and no buyer?s premium appeared. I should have known to be careful, do some research? just don?t bid! Alas my clicking fingers got the better of me.

What I didn?t really understand was that ?Proof? didn?t mean nice shiny, mirror like coin struck from special polished blanks for the historic record and collector purposes. Well actually it does mean exactly that, but I guess what I didn?t realize is that these coins can be spent, circulated and appear in less than perfect condition. So without regard I bid and unfortunately won a proof penny of less than what I would consider proof quality.

I must now repeat to myself? ?only buy Proof coins with PR/PF Ratings of 68 or 70?; I think 1000 repetitions should suffice, but I won?t fill my Journal with that now. It turns out a PR64 is really just an AU58 struck in a special fashion on what was once l polished blanks but is now just a scratched penny.

Luckily the injury was only $5 and the Guide Value is $4.20. So this lesson only cost me 80c!

The only question is do I have the heart to market my misunderstanding and unload the penny?