1913 Wheat Cent - Matte Proof Strike??

I cannot fit an overlay. Obverse or Reverse - Which could be due to some form of asymmetrical distortion of the image.

 

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I'd also like to see a good closeup of the fields to see any evidence of known diagnostics. Obverse and reverse would be nice.

 

That's the ticket!

Many early business strike Lincoln's have proof-like characteristics. I have a few in my collection with frosty fields and square rims, here's a 1910:

 

1909 business strike:

 

I'll take it out of the acetone after its bath, and take a photo of the edge and some other closeups.

 

Can you let me know of all of the die diagnostics, so that I can take pics of those areas?

 

Well anyway, here are the closeup pics of various areas:

 

There were two dies used for both obverse and reverse. Obverse die 1 was matched with Reverse die 1 and Obv die 2 was matched with Rev die 2.

Starting with die 1 the two obverse diagnostics that stand out the most are a C shaped die scratch to the left of the I in IN. They may look a little different in these images due to lighting, but all are identical.


The second major diagnostic is a spike shaped notch attached to and below the first 1 in the date.



Another diagnostic is a die gouge radiating from the top of the G in GOD towards and through the O.


Still another diagnostic also concerns the G. the lower left outside portion of the G is broken



There are diagnostics for the reverse. See if you have any of these first. If none are there we'll look at die 2. I'll work on those for tomorrow

 

Thanks for those die diagnostics - I couldn't find that resource!

Here's what I see in those areas using my USB microscope.

I don't think I see those die 1 markers, except maybe for the "G".

Also, I think that this 1913 had some old cleaning so even if it's a matte proof, it'll probably come back as an impaired proof.

 

@robec You are awesome. Something told me you were working on this.

 

FWIW, I think it's a matte proof.

 

OK I just came across these die diagnostics for die #2 on the 'net.

I just have no idea exactly how it's supposed to look lol.

Obverse 2 - Early die state: die polish above date, and above T and through Y of LIBERTY. Die polish below LIBERTY and at IN GOD and WE.

Obverse 2 - Late die state: Die polish around base of first 1 in date. Curved die polish above date. Die scratch through G and above OF of GOD.

Reverse B - Early die state: Die polish through UNUM and C of CENT. Curved die polish to right of N in CENT.

Reverse B - Late die state: Heavy die polish to right of T in CENT.​

 

Some Die 2 diagnostics

Obverse
Die gouge from D in GOD


Die Scratch from G in GOD to Abe's head


Curved die scratch below LIB in LIBERTY


Reverse die 2

die scratches around C in CENT


Long curved die scratch between the N and T of CENT


Heavy die polish around right wheat ear



Die scratches after T in CENTS


This should give you something to match up with.

 

It must be die #2! It is a matte proof!




I also see this on the reverse:

 

The markers don't lie!! Congratulations. Even if it is impaired it still has value. Less than 3,000 minted..........no telling how many made it into circulation.

 

Thank you Larry!!

 

Great thread!

 

NOTHING feels better than hitting pay dirt !!!

 

HAVE YOU SENT IT TO NGC YET?!?!?!?!?

 

Not so.

At first glance at the first pictures I would have thought it a business strike but the second pictures changed my mind.

I have in my hand a 1913 PCGS PF62 Cent and it matches pretty well.

I would be sending that one off as they are impossible to sell with out it. Very few collectors can tell a matte proof even when it slaps them in the face.

Confratulations on a great find. (I hope). Heh.