The pic is not detailed enough for the diagnostics of a '10 MPL. One of them being raised lines extending downward from the 'M'in UNUM. They should be present of the MPL.
Most 1910s come with nice matte surfaces, which this coin doesn't have. Other than that, there should be die polishes at "we" and die gouges in "trust".
I think that it may be an MPL based on the squared-off edges shown in the enhancement that I did to the sellers photo. The sellers pictures are of too poor quality to use any of the other determining characteristics.
See how the edges are squared:
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage. ANA Member R-3147111
Simply, there is a depression of Lincoln's bust on the reverse. You're not going to see that on a matte proof that only struck a few hundred coins at most since the fields will still be flat. That only happens on a coin struck from dies that struck 10's of thousands of coins.
Besides, the devices do not look sharp enough to be a proof.
IGW is too weakly struck, OBV rims do not look square from what little I can see in the photo. And that surface is not a Matte finish. I say we string the seller up!
WS
Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
The seller may actually think it's a matte proof. Most deliberate scamsters don't bother with a reserve because they bought the item cheap and have little to protect.
Whenever a person selling on EBAY or a forum member posts a coin that they say may be a MPL, I say to myself, "if the person REALLY thinks it is a MPL, then spend the money to get it certified by PCGS or NGC." THAT is the ONLY way the person will ever be able to get true MPL money for the coin. If the person isn't really sure and doesn't want to spend the money on certification, then it will remain worth only what a similar business strike Lincoln is worth. If the person is hoping that the forum members can help him determine whether to send it for certification, THEN, this kind of presentation is good as long as the responses come from knowledgeable members who know the diagnostics for each of the Matte Proofs. Steve
<< <i>Whenever a person selling on EBAY or a forum member posts a coin that they say may be a MPL, I say to myself, "if the person REALLY thinks it is a MPL, then spend the money to get it certified by PCGS or NGC." THAT is the ONLY way the person will ever be able to get true MPL money for the coin. If the person isn't really sure and doesn't want to spend the money on certification, then it will remain worth only what a similar business strike Lincoln is worth. If the person is hoping that the forum members can help him determine whether to send it for certification, THEN, this kind of presentation is good as long as the responses come from knowledgeable members who know the diagnostics for each of the Matte Proofs.
Steve >>
To be fair, there have been raw MPL sold on ebay and with a decent enough picture, it's pretty easy to tell it's the real deal. And some times they do go for solid money raw.
I agree with you though that it should be slabbed because although you can tell it's a MPL, the grade and originality are always questionable from a picture.
To be fair, there have been raw MPL sold on ebay and with a decent enough picture, it's pretty easy to tell it's the real deal. And some times they do go for solid money raw.
I agree with you though that it should be slabbed because although you can tell it's a MPL, the grade and originality are always questionable from a picture.
Rob >>
Rob, YOU may know it's the real thing from a picture, but would you pay real MPL money for an uncertified MPL? I doubt it. You, like most knowledgeable collectors would wonder WHY the seller didn't have it certified. If PCGS or NGC doesn't certify a MPL it doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't a Matte Proof. It DOES mean, however, that it won't get true MPL money when sold to a knowledgeable buyer. JMHO of course. Steve
Comments
Russ, NCNE
so I say no.
Lincoln set Colorless Set
Go get em!!!
I go with the concensus. If it were real, then why not get it certified???
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
<< <i>I go with no.
Russ, NCNE >>
But, Russ, this is being sold by a PowerSeller!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Most 1910s come with nice matte surfaces, which this coin doesn't have. Other than that, there should be die polishes at "we" and die gouges in "trust".
From the photo, I wouldn't buy it as a matte.
- Bob -

MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
See how the edges are squared:
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
<< <i>I think that it may be an MPL based on the squared-off edges shown in the enhancement that I did to the sellers photo. >>
They are squared only in some areas, and rounded in others. The business strikes sometimes look like that.
Russ, NCNE
Knowledge is the enemy of fear
Simply, there is a depression of Lincoln's bust on the reverse. You're not going to see that on a matte proof that only struck a few hundred coins at most since the fields will still be flat. That only happens on a coin struck from dies that struck 10's of thousands of coins.
Besides, the devices do not look sharp enough to be a proof.
NOT a proof coin. No doubt about it.
WS
Russ, NCNE
Steve
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
<< <i>Whenever a person selling on EBAY or a forum member posts a coin that they say may be a MPL, I say to myself, "if the person REALLY thinks it is a MPL, then spend the money to get it certified by PCGS or NGC." THAT is the ONLY way the person will ever be able to get true MPL money for the coin. If the person isn't really sure and doesn't want to spend the money on certification, then it will remain worth only what a similar business strike Lincoln is worth. If the person is hoping that the forum members can help him determine whether to send it for certification, THEN, this kind of presentation is good as long as the responses come from knowledgeable members who know the diagnostics for each of the Matte Proofs.
Steve
To be fair, there have been raw MPL sold on ebay and with a decent enough picture, it's pretty easy to tell it's the real deal. And some times they do go for solid money raw.
I agree with you though that it should be slabbed because although you can tell it's a MPL, the grade and originality are always questionable from a picture.
Rob
Al
Jim
<< <i>
Steve
To be fair, there have been raw MPL sold on ebay and with a decent enough picture, it's pretty easy to tell it's the real deal. And some times they do go for solid money raw.
I agree with you though that it should be slabbed because although you can tell it's a MPL, the grade and originality are always questionable from a picture.
Rob >>
Rob,
YOU may know it's the real thing from a picture, but would you pay real MPL money for an uncertified MPL? I doubt it. You, like most knowledgeable collectors would wonder WHY the seller didn't have it certified. If PCGS or NGC doesn't certify a MPL it doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't a Matte Proof. It DOES mean, however, that it won't get true MPL money when sold to a knowledgeable buyer. JMHO of course. Steve
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry