Is This The 1917 Matte Proof Wheat?

I learned this when I thought I had a matte proof-(taken from Lange's Book)
Matte proof Lincoln cents were made by:
1. new, unhardened dies were sandblasted.
2. the dies were hardened normally.
3. these dies were used in an hydraulic medal press to stamp the coin (one blow from the press).

All dies started out with flat rims and nearly square junctions between field and rimes or lettering, but only the medal press could exert enough pressure to force this fully into the coin planchet.

This process produced the distinctive surface on Lincoln cents 1909-1916 and 1913-1916 Buffalo nickel proofs.

The matte surface did not wear well and dies had to be replaced when the surface smoothed out - probably after a few hundred pieces were struck. (Old, mirror surface proof dies could be repolished and put back in the medal press.)

The Coiner or an assistant examined all proof coins and removed substandard pieces. Pieces that were defective (clips, off-center, multiple strikes) were destroyed; pieces that were substandard but still good coin were tossed into the regular production bins and entered circulation. Mint totals are for the number of pieces accepted by the Coiner (as in the Guide Book), not the quantity sold (except in a few instances where that quantity is known).

Matte proofs can be very deceptive, so follow the advice in Lange's book and have suspect pieces examined by someone with considerable experience.

I would say no on yours being a matte proof.

There is a book on how to tell if it is a matte proof, I just can not remember the name of it. It actually is not a book but a reprint of an article on matte proofs. I would look into it, maybe post a picture of it on the PCGS forum and ask them, there are some hardcore matte proof collectors on that thread.

How many 1917 MPLs have been cerified?

quote:

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I think one.

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NGC or PCGS?

Alright 50cents you got me intrigued to find out where I read that one was. Well after further research I will have to retract my statement, there have been none certified. I went back to my matte proof book and all it says is "Though not an official Proof issue, the 1917 was probably a special striking for presentation. Should have the basic diagnostics of Matte Proof Cents." I think on the PCGS board there was a rumor of one that turned out to be a business strike. It probably is one of the urban legends that will go on forever. Of course I think there was an 1959 with a wheat back sold a auction and a 1910 with a VDB once, but those might be urban legends also!



BTW, thank you again for the cent, I have been thinking of resubmitting it, but figure I will leave well enough alone and just enjoy saying it is in my collection!

I just think if one was found long ago by Breen or whoever it would be in a slab by now and be worth a whole lot of money.

chrsb, I'm glad you like it and that 1911 MPL belongs in a 64 or 65 holder.

sllyonsjr421, I still like that 17 but I would ask the seller if that is a ding on the rim at 10 o'clock on the obverse.

Breen found a lot of "exotic" items that later on turned out not to be what he said they were.

Of course he also found a lot of things that He was correct about as well.