Trimes - business strike or proof?

[robertpr-migration]

I recently bought a nicely toned trime, and I can't tell whether it's a business strike or a proof...it's an 1862...the previous owner couldn't make the determination either...are there any ways to tell the two apart? Die markings, differences in design, etc.? What does NGC look at on these coins to determine whether the coin is a business strike or a proof?

[AVickery]

Hi Robert,

 

You are correct in that the three cent silvers can often be deceptive whether they are just a nice, prooflike business strike or a proof piece. Our first way of determining, if there is any question, is to look for known and recognizable die characteristics of the proof pieces of that year. This is usually the only determining factor required, but other characteristics for differentiating a proof from business strike might include signs of doubling, strike, and squared-off, stronger rims which is an indicator of a proof coin.

 

Thanks for the question.