When we read or hear the word "Proof" those of us coin collectors who own a "Proof" coin/s or a "Proof" set/s can appreciatively envision a special coin that was multiple-struck (twice or more) by a mint using highly polished dies under tons of hydraulic pressure on highly polished blanks (planchets) resulting in the finished coin/s having brilliant shiny (mirror-like) surfaces (fields) on both sides of it like the following: Thanks to Wikimedia Commons you, who don't own a proof, can see the difference of quality between Brilliant Uncirculated coins made for general circulation and the same coins produced as "Proofs" for coin collectors by clicking this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:B...orative_-_uncirculated_and_proof_versions.jpg Here are photos of other "Proof" coins from mints around the world: A United States 2002 "Proof" Cent courtesy of Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_penny,_obverse,_2002.png A Russian Copper "Proof." (coinarchives.com): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=651927&AucID=476&Lot=3832 A "Proof" Polish Zloty dated 1925 (struck in London). (coinarchives) http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=652111&AucID=476&Lot=4016 A Czechoslovakian 1934 5 Dukatu with some cartwheel effect on obverse (coinarchives): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=652192&AucID=476&Lot=4097 Here's a Chinese "Proof" with accompanying text worth reading (coinarchives.com): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=652483&AucID=476&Lot=4388 And one of my favorite discoveries; a 1987 Swiss Gold 12 Unzen (English - ounce) courtesy of coinarchives: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=533656&AucID=388&Lot=2077 I'm sure that's enough photos for you to understand the precept, but there are other surface type "Proof" coins, such as Burnished, Matte, Reverse Proof, and Satin. I am only going to explore the term "Matte Proof" in this Post. Future posts will refer to the other "Proof" types previously mentioned. Long ago mints of the world found that money could be earned by providing specially produced coins (proofs) for numismatists. France was one of those countries. In the late 1800s France's Paris Mint invented a new process which they called "Matt" (American English "Matte"). Here's a photo of a French Gold 10 Francs of 1899 "Matt Proof" courtesy of Coinarchives.com: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=575426&AucID=421&Lot=2551 If you read the text accompanying the photo you saw that Britain and the United States also struck "Matt Proof" coins for collectors too, but other countries produced their own "Matt Proof" coinage. Here's a photo of a 1902 "Matt Proof" British Sovereign courtesy of coinarchives.com: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=574800&AucID=420&Lot=3223 Before I add links to photos of other "Matte Proof" coins, let me explain the process of creating a "Matte Proof." NOTE: "Matte Proof" coins were not popular with the numismatists of the era they were struck, but are a highly sought after prize in today's coin market. In the early days of "Matte Proof" coinage the blanks were sandblasted to give the planchet a grainy low-reflective surface. Latterday productions are treated with acid (some before striking, some areas of the coin are treated with acid after striking). Many U.S. "Proof" coins from 1909 through 1916 were "Matte Proof" types and, because of their low mintage figures, are now among the most sought after U.S. coins. Those U.S. "Matte Proofs" include Lincoln Cents and Gold coins. From time to time other "Matte Proofs" were produced as these two which very few collectors know exist (courtesy coinpage.com): http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1856.html http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3445.html The following "Matte Proof" examples from around the world were a delight to discover. I hope you'll enjoy the photo tour courtesy of coinarchives: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=500818&AucID=364&Lot=52232 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=652333&AucID=476&Lot=4238 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=653828&AucID=478&Lot=21051 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=655564&AucID=478&Lot=22790 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=627361&AucID=454&Lot=196 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=532573&AucID=387&Lot=882 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=504704&AucID=366&Lot=51131 Did you experience as much delight in discovering the coins within this subject as I did during my research? Clinker
Wow Clinker, excellent post. I especially liked learning about the Chinese proof. The significance of "8". Hold on....gotta go play lotto.
This is a great post Clinker. It especially important for all collectors to learn the different types of strikes, and how they are made! Great job clinker!
To Daggarjon: Happy to share my findings... AND A GREAT BIG :loud:THANKS For the nomination as "Post of the Week." Clinker
Very good post. I never really understood what a matte proof was before, but you cleared up every question I had. Thanks.
To: thr_man12 Hello.... It's great to see a new comment, but be sure to read my future post obn "Reverse Proof" coins...:hammer: Clinker
