1981 Topps Cooper/Brett/Jackson Scratch-off Panel PSA Response

[ALR-bishop]

What I said was, my 3 coins, shown above, have finished backs, unlike most proofs, see other examples, which are blank backed

My understanding is and I could be wrong the definition of proof is a sheet of printed material that is made to be checked and corrected whether it is blank backed or not. Prototype is designed to test and trial a new design or concept to market. Maybe the same or not after corrections made. Proofs for coins limited number of newly minted coins or medals struck as specimens and for collectors from a new die on a polished planchet.

The coins are not proofs because they were not minted for collectors or public. They are prototypes for a product that got cancelled for some reason before production.

[ALR-bishop]

I can buy into your distinction but under that distinction all the items pictured above would be prototypes. How would you classify the Topps 1984 Encased or Head in The Box cards ?

I would consider them proofs. It was a step and or process making final changes towards the final product.

Al you have a nice collection of proofs and prototypes

[ALR-bishop]

If the scratch off that is the subject here shows up, is it a proof or prototype ? I assume proof, even though it never made it into the set, since a set was produced. On the others pictured in this thread, none made it into production for retail sale, with the possible exception of the Deckle sheets, since they did make it into production, even though only one player made it into the actual set.

I suppose it is like variations, print defects, errors, variants...or a Doug likes to call them, glorified print dots....everyone can and does have their own way of looking at and defining things. Most folks probably do not care one way or the other