RedRockGirl wrote:how do you know if you find a proof?
Okay, let's see... Coins from San Fransisco (S-mint) are often proofs. But not all S coins are proofs, AND not all proofs have an S mintmark. Clear as mud? Okay. Let's proceed.
From the original post in this thread: "while the S mint mark generally means a proof strike, the following (recent) S-mint coins were minted for general circulation, and are most likely NOT proofs: 1968-1974 cents, 1968-1970 nickels, 1979-1981 dollars."
CENTS: SF made circulation strike Lincoln cents with an S until 1955, then again from 1968-74. Proof strikes were plain from 1950-64, then started including the S in 1968. But anything dated 1975 or later with an S is most certainly a proof, because SF didn't make circulation strikes any more.
NICKELS: SF made circulation strike Jefferson S nickels until 1954, then again from 1968-70. Proof strikes were plain from 1938-64 then started including the S in 1968. But anything dated 1971 or later with an S is most certainly a proof; same reasoning as before.
DIMES: SF made circulation strike Roosevelt S dimes until 1955. Proof strikes were plain from 1950-64 then started including the S in 1968. So anything dated 1968 or later with an S is most certainly a proof.
QUARTERS: Same basic idea. Circulation strike S until 1954. Proofs plain until 1964. S were proof-only starting 1968.
HALVES: For Kennedy, 1964 proof was plain. 1968 and following proof had S. Anything with an S is a proof.
DOLLARS: for Susan B Anthony dollars, S-mint coins were issued for both proof and circulation from 1979-81. Any Sacagawea or Presidential dollar with an S is a proof.
Any better? Another answer is this: if it's got a mirror-like finish, you should take note, as it might be a proof.