Tau6174 Posted February 26, 2023 Share Posted February 26, 2023 Hello and good day. Been looking through a jar of pennies and this one stood out. It's definitely well detailed but I'm not sure if it's a proof or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenstang Posted February 26, 2023 Share Posted February 26, 2023 (edited) Welcome to the Forum Not a proof CENT. Just a regular Philadelphia minted 1990 Lincoln with some circulation wear. Edited February 26, 2023 by Greenstang Fenntucky Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandon Posted February 26, 2023 Share Posted February 26, 2023 Welcome to the NGC chat board. Your 1990 Lincoln cent is definitely not one of the estimated 100 to 250 proof 1990 cents mistakenly struck at the San Francisco mint without an "S" mint mark, which were packaged and sealed in hard plastic holders for sale to collectors as part of a 1990 proof set, in which I understand all of the known pieces have been found. Your coin is one of the over 6.85 billion 1990 cents struck at the Philadelphia mint for circulation, none of which has a mint mark. Your coin is clearly not a proof, as it does not have the very strong strike, deeply mirrored surfaces and frosted devices of a proof cent made since the mid-1970s, which would look like this 2000-S: Contrary to what you may have heard on social media, coins like a 1990 "no S" proof cent just aren't going to turn up in your change jar! GBrad and Fenntucky Mike 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...