"Plate" Indian Head

Someone enlighten me. This is a new term for me. What is a "plate"?

Thanks,
Jody

http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=2882&lot=1041

 

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A plate coin means that a photo of it is in a specific book as an illustration of that specific type. From old usage " photographic plate" ( before flexible film and long before digital
Jim

 

Thanks Jim. So there's a premium just because your coin was photographed?

 

Yeah many take it to mean that the author thought so much of it as an example, or it was extremely rare, so it is still used. Like a CAC or Pedigree Slab.

 

Depends on what book the coin was plated in I think... I mean I could care less if a coin was "plated" in a Heritage catalog, I have dozens of those coins.

But if it's a coin that is plated in the Redbook, or an early large cent plated in Penny Whimsy or something like that, then I think it adds to the value somewhat.