Matte Proofs?

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dan1ecu
dan1ecu Posts: 1,573
in U.S. Coin Forum
Is anyone familiar with the history involving matte proofs? Was this an experiment that was tried by the mint, or was there some practical reason (cost, perhaps) why they discontinued minting brilliant proofs for that time period? I think that matte proofs have a nice look to them, judging from pictures. It’s my understanding that the coin collectors of that day (1910's?) didn’t care for them, though. Does anyone know anything about the technology that was used to produce the matte finish? Do they use the same technology today?

Dan
Dan McInnes

mcinnes@mailclerk.ecok.edu">dmcinnes@mailclerk.ecok.edu

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  • RonMan
    RonMan Posts: 449 ✭
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    Info from the COA of my 1998 Kennedy Matte set:

    Matte finish requires two extra steps in the minting of the coin:

    (1) Sandblasting the face of the coinage die with a mixture of glass beads and aluminum oxide.

    (2) Adding a hard-chrome plate to the die for hardness and lubricity.

    Someone else can probably add more info. I really like the matte finish.

    RonMan
  • dorkkarl
    dorkkarl Posts: 12,691 ✭✭✭
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    you haven't seen what a buffalo nickel should look like - until you see a matte proof. a top-five coin in my opinion, and looking the way it supposed to look.

    K S
  • richbeat
    richbeat Posts: 2,288 ✭
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    A lot of the originality was lost when it was modified in an effort to reduce the wear. I bet a nice matte proof 1913 would be a stunner. image
  • koynekwest
    koynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I know, on Buffalos at least, the matte surface was applied AFTER striking. The coins were exposed to a dilute acid solution to achieve this effect. Other coins were sandblasted.
    The matte surface for coins and especially medals was all the rage during the late 19th and early 20th century in Europe and especially in France but apparently not too popular here in the US as collectors were used to the typical mirror finish and disdained the matte proofs.
    And yes, Dorkkarl-I agree-there's nothing like a matte proof Buffalo the show the magnificence of the design. I am currently in the process of trying to complete a collection of Proof Buffalos-an expensive undertaking but coming along slowly.
  • mdwoods
    mdwoods Posts: 5,560 ✭✭✭
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    you haven't seen what a buffalo nickel should look like - until you see a matte proof. a top-five coin in my opinion, and looking the way it supposed to look

    Agreed, and I would like to add the $10 Matte Proof Indian to that as well. Mark
    National Register Of Big Trees

    We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
  • shylock
    shylock Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
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    Anaconda had a breathtaking Eagle matte proof looking for an owner last year, and I also agree about the Buffalo matte proof. Something about these I like even more than the monster brilliant proofs -- more detail and character. Actually, I think I'll take one of each.
    Paul <> altered surfaces <> CoinGallery.org
  • IrishMike
    IrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
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    Shylock I dunno that 68 PF buff is pretty stunning. image

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