Business Strike or Proof?

[relicsncoins]

I recently aquired an Indian Head Cent that was listed as BU. When I recieved it, I was disappointed by the lack of cartwheel luster, however upon closer inspection I'm wondering if this might be a proof. The fields are mirror like, and look at the the very sharp rim and squared off letters as well as the overall strike of the coin. What is your oppinion, is this a business strike that has been dipped and therfor lost the cartwheel luster or did I just get a 1905 proof Indian for 35 bucks?

 

Jason

 

 

[gmarguli]

Looks like a business strike.

[TomB]

My first impression was that it was a business strike that has had its original skin removed, though that is very difficult to tell with the lighting used for this coin.

[Jazzy]

I don't believe the overall strike of the coin is that of a proof.

 

I would expect better detail in the tips of the feathers and in the hair over the forehead.

 

Also, there appear to be minor rim cuds at 10 and 11 on the reverse.

 

And...dipped + retoned Indians have a deceptive way of looking like proofs.

 

JMHO - I could be entirely wrong.

[Bruceswar]

its a nice business strike... works good for an album

[truthteller]

Not enough detail on the top feathers to be a proof striking. My opinion is business strike.

 

 

TRUTH

[kryptonitecomics]

Business strike with a light cleaning...I have one as well that I bought on Ebay thinking that it was a proof since it has nice smooth mirror like fields with color......I was told that was a sign the coin had been cleaned and retoned.

 

[michael]

biz

[Hoot]

Looks like a business strike to me also. I'm wondering what may have happened to the rim at 10-11 o'clock on the reverse?

 

Hoot

[James_OldeTowne]

Business strike. It looks polished to me.

 

James

[Stanley]

Not trying to get off topic, but while we got a nice looking IHC which has evidently had some backroom conservation done on it. Is there any action one could take to preserve this specimen so as to protect it from any further negative toning? ie, Blue Ribbon bath, etc.

[James_OldeTowne]

This is strictly my opinion, but I think what this coin needs is more toning, to hopefully bring back a more original "look". If it were my coin, I would pop it in a Whitman album, and let it relax there for a couple of years. Chances are, it will "brown up" a little, and with any luck, acquire some nice iridescence.

 

James