Wheat MATTE prf.

atarian

how can you tell if one of these suckers got out into circ and then you get one 80 yrs later or 90 yrs later. what can you do to tell if it is one of the elite or if its a common bob

CarlWohlforth

I think it would be very difficult to prove a circulated early Lincoln was a matte proof. The proofs are very well struck with square edges to the rim and lettering.

I believe these coins were purchased individually from the mint so it seems unlikely anybody would put one into circulation. Further there are billions of cents in circulation and only a few thousand matte proofs were made almost 100 years ago so if one was actually put into circulation finding it would be like winning the lottery, that is to say unlikely.