Is it possible? Here's a '57 Lincoln proof I recently purchased. I posted it in another thread under US coins, but not specifically addressing this issue. As you can see, this proof seems to be missing a great deal of the detail that is commonly seen on Lincolns...the beard doesn't even look like it's there. The mouth isn't complete (looks funny though!). The hair looks melted. What's going on??
looks as if it is VERY late in that proof die's life... more like it needed to be retired BEFORE it struck this coin