A final group of terms to consider.
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
Having sufficiently irritated some, aided some, and confused some, here is a final short set of misleading terms. Fortunately, these began gradual correction some time ago and are close to rehabilitation.
- Matte proof
- Matte proof
- Roman proof
- Satin proof
The first two are identical terms applied to two different ways of making proof coins. "Matte proof (1)" refers to certain Saint-Gaudens and Pratt gold coins made 1908, 1911-1915. "Matte proof (2)" refers to proof Lincoln cents and Buffalo nickels through 1916. This mixed message use was promoted by Walter Breen. He was trying to describe coins, but without knowing how the coins were made. Thus, he invented things that confused people.
Here's the resolution as now being used.
"Matte proof" is reserved ONLY for proof Lincoln cents and Buffalo nickels through 1916.
Saint-Gaudens and Pratt gold coins made 1908, 1911-1915 are called "sandblast proof" (or "sandblasted proof as Dave Bowers prefers). This term accurately describes what was done to the coins after they were struck. It was used by collectors and dealers from early-on until after about the early 1950s when Breen called them "matte proof."
"Roman proof" is an invented and completely meaningless term. It refers to nothing and tells us nothing. [Guess who 'coined' it?] The term "satin proof" describes the appearance of certain gold and silver coins that where struck from fresh dies on a medal press, but not sandblasted.
"Satin proof;" see above. Sequentially a satin proof became a sandblast proof when the coin was sandblasted.
Enjoy the spring snow!
Comments
I like this one
Collector, occasional seller
Were the dies sandblasted to impart the matte appearance for the cents and nickels?
Thanks @RogerB ...Hopefully your inputs will result in a more standardized terminology, at least here on the forum. Cheers, RickO