Hey look what I got in my change!

[cwilk]

First ever proof coin for me. Too bad it's scratched. The reverse is fine.

Chris

 

[Uncle Willy]

Nice score bud.

Bill

 

[kaptainkosmic]

just curious as to how you tell.

Steve

 

[cwilk]

San Francisco mintmark. San Francisco hasn't minted coins for circulation since 1975. You can also tell by looking at it. Hard to tell that way from a low res photo.

Chris

 

[fongu]

when you say proof, does that mean an error coin? I read what you said about San Francisco not having any coins since 1975 and it had a S mint mark and year 1992, so is it an error coin? Can you and other forum members suggest books I can read to get me up to speed on coins, proofs, etc.

 

[cwilk]

The Red Book is a great source for general coin collecting knowledge. It is about 10-15 bucks. Every treasure hunter should have a copy.

Proof coins are specially minted for collectors and the mint sells them at a premium. Most proof coins are minted in San Francisco but some special proofs are made at other mints. The flat areas on proof coins have an almost mirror like quantity and they are specially handled and packaged so they don't get any dings or marks. For this coin to have made it to circulation. somebody had to break apart the mint display. Go to the US mint site. They just made the 2009 proff set available for sale.

Chris

 

[SteveP(NH)]

So seeing the S mint mark is an everyday occurrence on proofs. There are some valuable proof errors where the S was left off some coins.

 

[rever5101]

this is also a very good site i found for coin facts, coin history , mintages ext.....
http://www.coincommunity.com/

 

[cwilk]

The SF mint made pennies for circulation until 1974, I believe, and they also made SBA dollars for circulation in 1979 and 1980.

Chris

 

[RickIowa2009]

Interesting

 

[SteveP(NH)]

Production at the SF mint was suspended for 13 years after 1955. The SF mint started production again in 1968 at which time it took over production of most proof coins from the Philly mint and struck some cents from 1968 thru 1974. Since 1975 it has only struck proof coinage with the exception of the Susy B dollars from 79-81 as you mention. It also struck some cents in the early 80's but none of these had mint marks and so can't be told from those struck in Philly. .