if it was a "proof" it ain't one anymore...as soon as someone touched it and it was dropped and buried the "proof tag" came off.
on the good side...you have a very shiny Merc....
It does look like either a proof coin or very uncirculated at the least.
looks like it was to me, nice saves brother!!
I think you may be describing an uncirculated coin. A proof coin doesn't change it's status regardless of being circulated or buried. It's what we'd call an "impaired" proof.if it was a "proof" it ain't one anymore...as soon as someone touched it and it was dropped and buried the "proof tag" came off.
on the good side...you have a very shiny Merc....
It does look like either a proof coin or very uncirculated at the least.
DS, if your coin has a D or an S mint mark, you can rule out a proof.