Does anyone here know a lot about 1909 -1917 proof Lincolns? Could you give me a run down. Stuff like hardest date(S)? what to watch for? aprx price range? good place to get them? any other info thanks much.
Brian Wagner is the king of the Matte Proof Lincolns. I just had a want list person ask and I sent them to Brian. Another person to contact would be Andy Skrabalak at Angel Dee's. Both Brian and Andy have websites easily found on google. Originality is the most difficult issue with these. I do not trust my experience on them yet, and I go to the experts, and the 2 I have bought and sold have both been slabbed by PCGS, as a protective measure for myself and my customer. The key is the 09-VDB, and the 1917 is a debate whether on even exsists. Matty's are at an all time high right now, might not be the best time to buy unless strictly from a collector standpoint, as you'll be paying huge money for a nice problem free coin. Problems are always available " cheap" and are to be avoided if possible. DanR, come to the Tucson show this month and see Rick Snow as well. He is known to have a few suprises in his cases usually, and is a close friend of Brian. Stop by my table as well and say hi.
Matte proof lincoln prices are insane right now, so I would say they are difficult to price at the moment. For example, a 1909 vdb MPL that is in 64RB will routinely sell for over 30k. MPL's seem to be a little more scarce on 1914, 15, and 16, as their mintages were approx half of the other dates. There are a handful of 1917's believe to be MPL, but they were not official proof strikings, but more likely Specimen strike type coins is my understanding. There is a book that is somewhat available called Counterfeit Detection volume two, which is a reprint from the Numismatist. One of my mentors early from when I was starting out in coins, Leonard Albrecht, has an article in there that shows all the diagnostics of all the MPL's. I have seen several copies at various shows for about 10 dollars. There is probably a more comprehensive guide than that one, since that was published so long ago, but I may be mistaken.
Original MPLs are as rare as hen's teeth, IMO, a slab guarantees nothing, and the market prices for these are likely at an all-time high. Collect what you like, but if you choose MPLs, be VERY careful....Mike
Very correct A slab only guarantee's that it will slab, not the originality Much better than buying a raw that bodybags I guess
