Incredible 1940 Nickel - is this a proof?

[Coin_Surfer]

I was looking through all of my pre 1960 nickels and I found this one. I was surprised because of the date and the condition. It almost looks uncirculated, or maybe even a proof. Please give any knowledge or advice, very much appreciated.

HH,
Coinsurfer

 

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[AGBlex]

i got a 39 like that last week. i think mine is so i'm going to have to say yours is as well

 

[brendan1414]

I have a 1940 just like that too! weird!

 

[ImpurestStewart]

I don't think it's a proof, If you look at the stairs on the monticello they seem to have slight wear. You just have a really nice circulated one. I could be wrong though, I am not an expert on these things.

 

[captainfwiffo]

It's just a nice about-uncirculated nickel. A proof would be much more mirror-like. Still a nice find.

 

[treeslayer]

Its a beauty !!! But i would not call it proof. But its still a nice find.

 

[Generic_Lad]

I agree, just a really nice AU nickel, not a proof. Although a proof would be amazing since only 11,246 of them were minted in that year!

But still a great find

 

[jrf30]

A proof is not just a better example of a coin than an uncirculated one. It's not that fine is graded 40, uncirculated at 60 and proof at 70. Doesn't work that way. A proof is different from the start. Nowadays it is easy to see them, as they have frosted areas. Older ones didn't, but the mirrorlike finish is still the telling sign. This has a sharp luster to it, but not a mirror finish. Therefore, iti s an uncirculated (Or maybe even almost uncirculated) coin, but not a proof. they are born as proofs, and remain so, even when impaired. Or they are not born as proofs. this one was, in my opinion, not born a proof.

 

[Goldmanford]

That is a beautiful coin that has been in somebodies collection for a long time!

 

[Th3Offspring]

just found one in similar if not better condition on thursday. I don't think they are proof, just a coin someone tucked away shortly after it was minted and it just now got released into my collection

 

[canaboy123]

Dont take my word for it but i think proof sets started being made in 1948??

 

[thurmownator]

Dont take my word for it but i think proof sets started being made in 1948??

Add another 100 years...and than some.

Though not issued every year, early on, Proof Sets have been around for a long time:

http://www.coinfacts.com/proof_sets/proof_coin_sets.htm