I thought that I would share pictures of this decent 1911 Matte Proof Lincoln Cent that I won on eBay last week! I won the coin with a bid of $20.50 before shipping and Insurance. Sorry that the pictures don't show how nice the coin really is and they don't really show all of the Die Markers! However, the Die Gouge from the rim Southeast through the "G" of GOD shows very nicely. Frank
Very nice. You also have a marker on the reverse, 2 o clock die crack from rim to wheat, better pics would be certain, but those sure look like MPL rims as well. WOW, there was just a thread on cherrypicking on the net. CONGRATS !!
Leadfoot, From everything that I have read, no and apparently there was only one Die used for all of the Matte Proof cents in 1911. The Die Gouge through the "G" in GOD is only found on the 1917 MPL's. Also, the Die Gouge cannot be found on really Early Die Stage specimens (note: ambro's 1911 MPL which does not have it) as it did not show up until the latter part of the early stage of the Die (EDS), becomes more prevalent n the mid stage of the Die (MDS) and continues into the late stage of the Die (LDS), then becomes close to undetectable in the extremely late stage of the Die. Frank
1911 Matte Proof Obv die #1: Die polish thru date, die polish thru LIB of Liberty, extra metal inside top of Y in Liberty Obv die #2: Die scratches above first 1 in date Rev die #1: early die state...Die polish thru AME of America. Late die state.... same plus die crack thru O in One Rev die #2: die crack at 2:30 from rim connecting wheat stalk From The Authoritave Referance on Lincoln Cents...Wexler / Flynn Books before coins, LOL Hope this helps !!!
I'm no expert, but IIWY I'd send a note (and pics) to Brian Wagner or Rick Snow and see if they agree. I've seen some MPLs that were ringers from a die marker perspective that weren't MPLs, but early business strikes of the MPL dies. That said, those rims look square enough to me to be a MPL, and I suspect it is. I'll send a PM to a few friends to and ask them to take a look and let you know what they say....
Jack, Thanks for the info! Since I do not have the reference books, I was going by the Die Markers given on the Collector's Universe Forum (link that Leadfoot gave me awhile back). I need to quit assuming too much into what I read. Frank
It does look like you have found a MPL. Cleaned and perhaps lightly circulated but a great find nonetheless. Congrats!!!
I just noticed a neat little Strike (Struck) Thru Error on the Obverse! The coin was Struck Thru what appears to be a hair on Lincoln's lapel and vest below his' bow tie. I hope that this will not effect the value of the coin! Frank
I call them worms, and they are quite common on proof coins of all denominations. A fiber of lint remained on the die after it was polished. Usually does not affect the value or grade and helps to confirm proof striking.
cohodk, Thanks for confirming my find and for the congrats! I am hoping that my latest CherryPick on eBay thurns out to be a 1910 Matte Proof Lincoln Cent! When I receive it and if it appears so, I will post pictures here on CT. Frank
Good luck. They are out there. I once found a 1909--I wish VDB--in a 2x2 at a dealers table. He though it was a business strike and I paid $12. It slabbed at PCGS PR65BN.
Hey Dave !! Welcome to the forum , your Lincoln expertise is welcomed bigtime !! The nicest 09 in my collection came from you.