How do you tell the diffrence between PF & BS Barber 5c's

[dooly]

Hi all i have just picked up a no cents 1883 5c and it is circulated and damaged unfortunately but it seems to have some mirroring to the fields (will not show up in my scans). which made me think ? Is there a way to tell if you have a circulated PF one of these

 

 

 

cheers dooly

[physics-fan3.14]

I don't know which of these you think might be a proof, but it is definitely not the one on the left. The one on the right doesn't look like a proof in my opinion either, it is probably more likely cleaned in some way that it shouldn't have been. Granted, I'm not a nickel expert, I just happened to respond first.

[Oldtrader3]

Proofs normally have wire rims, sharp denticles and sharp edges on the letters. Plus, most Lib. nickel proofs that I have seen have some contrast between mirror fields and devices.

[dooly]

So look for wire rims i will keep an eye out for that, as i cant afford proofs

[James_OldeTowne]

The 1883 N/C is almost certainly THE most common "prooflike" Liberty nickel. Neither of these examples appears to be a proof, however. Dentilation on a proof is exceptionally sharp.

[MikeInFL]

I don't think either is a proof, but the second coin has an exceptional strike for a business strike 1883.

[dooly]

I don't think either is a proof, but the second coin has an exceptional strike for a business strike 1883.

 

Yep! i know shame its only good enough to go in my Dansco 7070 (but it was only $10)