This coin has many characteristics of a proof. The obverse die in particular has been very carefully prepared and polished. The flan is very full, the edges a little higher than normal and the teeth carefully cut. In fact the teeth actually protect the edge by projecting slightly. On the reverse the eleven harp strings are weak as is the crown over the Irish shield. All these characteristics are shared by the example in the Lingford sale, lot 281, which was described as 'struck like a proof', and by the example in the Inveruglas collection (Noble auction 48, lot 4461), which was described as a proof.
Of these coins Linecar and Stone state '...the dividing line between them and what may constitute a proof is often a matter of opinion; furthermore they command prices close to those realised by actual proofs.' In his recent pamphlet 'J Roettier, Patterns and Proofs of Charles II, Crowns, Notes', Roddy Richardson goes one stage further. 'There is a very good case for the so called "struck like a proof" pieces...I am of the opinion that these are in fact proofs and should be listed as such.'