Matte Lincoln Dies. Here's some interesting info. . .

So far I have discovered that were some different obverses and reverses used on the 1909-1916 Matte Proof Lincolns, which is somewhat surprising due to the extremely small mintage. For instance the VDB, with a mintage of 420, used 2 obverse dies, and 3 reverse dies.
1909 VDB - 2 obverses, and 3 reverses
1909 - 3 obverses, and 2 reverses (The first obverse is the same as Obverse 1 for the VDB
1910 - 2 obverses, and 1 reverse
1911 - 2 obverses, and 2 reverses
1912 - 1 obverse, and 1 reverse
1913 - 2 obverses, and 2 reverses
1914 - 1 obverse, and 1 reverse
1915 - 1 obverse, and 1 reverse
1916 - 2 obverses, and 2 reverses
Doug
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I'm in the market for a PR65RB. Are there any good informational sites on matte proofs? The info posted got me thinking I want to do some research into these coins before I actually buy one.
Thanks for the help
Michael
These have been identified by coins that were struck. There could be more. I haven't seen any information on how many were produced by the mint.
Michael, I haven't found any websites on MPL's, but the best info in print that I have seen is in the back of "The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents" by Wexler & Flynn. For instance, it details production and delivery volume, as well as the number deemed "good" and "accepted." Most of the records combine cents and nickels, so there is still some speculation as the quantity of each. Further, there are no notations regarding how many VDB's were struck, as opposed to 09 plains. Last but not least, the mint sales records do not break out sales by denomination, so there is really no way to know how many were actually distributed.
IMO, you can't go wrong with 65-65 red/browns right now. The prices are truly low considering the rarity of the issues. These coins were not appealing to collectors of the times, who had just come off the brilliant and cameo proof coinage of the Barber dime/quarter/half, and the Indian Cent. Again IMO, the VDB and the 16 are equally tough coins to come by, although the VDB is obviously the most popular. Finding nice RED examples are also challenging because of the paper the mint shipped the proofs in. If the coins were not removed within a relatively short amount of time, they developed toning. Not necessarily a bad thing -- I have several RB examples that are absolutely incredible.
XPipe -- Is that Matte certified? It has very nice beard detail.
Oh, .... sorry ..not THAT Matt(e) Lincoln! My mistake....
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Do you have any information which dies were used for the matte finishes and which were used for the satin finishes? Which dates produced matte finishes and which dates produced satin finishes?Which dates come in both finishes?
Stewart
We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
Stewart, I am ignorant about a difference between Matte and Satin in the 09-16 Mattes. I know that certain coins have a grainer (Matte) texture, and some have a softer texture, but obviously, we would all like to be enlightened.
Steve I agree with you on many levels and tried to aviod any contradictory info about the mintage numbers. I think it would be great if you would please enlighten the board with your comments in this area. I'm sure we will all learn something.
Doug
Of all the matte Proofs that I've seen,the dates that I've seen in both matte and satin finish are the 1909 VDB,1909,1910 and the 1911.All other dates I've seen have only matte finishes.Of these dates I listed I have seen some pieces with matte on one side and satin on the other side.
Many matte Proofs have been abused and have altered surfaces.I base my information primarily on the gem examples that I've seen with unaltered surfaces.
Stewart
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
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