What Is A 'Matte' Coin?

CCF Glossary.

A coin with matte surfaces is one struck from dies which have been sandblasted or acid-etched, giving the entire coin a "frosted", non-shiny appearance. They have been traditionally less desired by collectors than the "regular" mirrored surface or "cameo" combination of frost and mirror.

Matte surfaces were preferred by early photographers because they were easier to take pictures of, without those pesky shiny, reflective surfaces getting in the way. Some of the scarcest coins in the British series, for example, are matte coins struck specifically by request of photographers. The matte proof 1937 penny, for instance, has a mintage of four.