So after a 6 month search, I FINALLY bought my first Matte Proof Lincoln. Please take the photo with a grain of salt as I have not seen the coin in hand -- I took the various sellers photos and tried to guess-timate what a TrueView Photo might look like -- however admittedly at this point, this is just a guess. I think Phil Arnold at TrueView will be able to bring out a lot of really exquisite color in this one -- and I will be sure to post that when I get it.
Here are the seller's photos of the Matte Proof ... I can't wait to see this in hand. When I get a TrueView photo made, I will post.
Holy Cow. I had posted the 1914 Matte Proof Lincoln (displayed above) on another board and one of the previous owners of this coin (Key Largo Rare Coins) then sent me what he called "a better photo" of this MPL. At first I wasnt sure it was the same coin, but note the streaks on the bottom on the reverse ... same signature ... same coin. Quite a pop at this max-color lighting angle.
I guess that must be the classic example of what a difference the lighting and shooting angle can make. Since it does not look like the coin you thought you bought, you are going to return it, right?
Hey Lance, the NGC pop. is not that much larger. MS67 1947 is 19 and 1954 is 10. Thanks though, I do appreciate the appreciation. I spent 4+ years searching for those gems. I've yet to find the '46 and '48 - maybe someday...... Don
Right, rlm's cents! Actually, I couldn't return it if I wanted to. I bought it on Heritage and they don't have a return policy. I paid $1500 (50%) more than the PCGS guide price for this. I got into a bidding war with at least 1 other person. A bit of an overpay, but I think the monster color is going to save me on that front.
You're right. I went by recollection because the NGC census website was down at the time. Many of the late wheaties years are starkly skewed between the two TPG's. I have a PCGS '53-D in 67RD. Only 15 exist. NGC has certified 122. There are many late years like this. I see the NGC pop report is back up today and the census for 1946 is 27 and for 1948 it's 52. Seems like you found the tougher ones first! WTG. Lance.
The price guides on MPL's mean NOTHING. They are all so rare the price is what someone is willing to pay on a given day. I think $1500 is quite reasonable for that coin and I bet you could sell it tomorrow for at least that. It's also my opinion that all of the MPL's are under-valued.....for that matter, most of the regular, early Lincoln proofs (1936 up) are also under-valued.
I think you misread how much WL paid. I know he would have loved to have picked the 1914 up for $1500, but it was $1500 above the price guide. What you say, however, about the price guide and MPL's is correct. You can throw it out the window, especially on eye popping monsters like this one. This 1914 is one of the best looking examples in existence, provided you're not a RD lover.
All this chatter and interest in the Lincoln cent series makes me feel pretty good to be invested in them. I like to see that there are other current and serious collectors out there and that I haven't waisted my hard earned after tax dollars on something silly. Once the new wears off of a purchase and the dust settles, it is nice to look around a realize a guy isn't buried in a well chosen collectable Lincoln cent. JMO, Matt
Two new PCGS TrueView images I just got back for my two 1909 VDB's: PCGS MS 64 BN bought for $150 in August as a Buy-It-Now coin on eBay. The obverse color and toning pattern reminds me a little bit of an impressionist painting -- exquisite and sublime. PCGS MS 65 RB bought for $120 + $18 buyers premium in September from Heritage Auctions (nobody bid on this for some reason!). The wide flat rim and the pink/green toning reminds me a little bit of a Matte Proof Lincoln, however, clearly it's not. This was a bargain at $138.