Did the Mint limit sales of Proof coins during the 19th and early 20th century?

ambro51

I have often wondered about this. Seems to me that with proof mintages always very low, it would have been quite an enticement for a speculative dealer back then to buy up the entire output of the Mint.

With most Indians and Matte Proof Lincolns, a double eagle or two would have done it.

pennyannie

I have read in the Lincoln Book by QDB that one dealer did buy up tons of proofs every year.