WHAT IS THIS? Rim and edge are flat and square, field is textured and deep brown in color, with a gleem or sheen to surface. thanks 213sarah
Welcome to the forum, 213sarah. That is not a Matte Proof. There were only rumors of there being a 1917 MPL, but I don't believe it. The rim looks different from other well-circulated business strikes, but not every coin is the same.
I agree with Coinguy56. The 1917 is just an urban myth. That coin just looks to have genuine circulation wear with a bit of flattness on the rim. Regarding the color of the fields, I have seen many well circulated Wheat Cents with the same "toned" fields as this coin. The color is most likely do to a different, yet not uncommon, alloy mixture where some of the darker bits of the alloy were minted with the cent (that being the copper). Nearly 90% of all copper cents have this exact color. Like I previously said, it is not in anyway uncommon. -Brian
I appreciate all the help, I'm receiving. I kept this coin for awhile now, it just made since. That a coin that was made illegally, would have such ware instead of shiny and new.
I added a photo of the edge! Just wanted to show squareness, not to convence anyone this is a matte proof! Just felt it was important to add. It still don't make this a matte proof, but, may help others to understand why I kept this coin. 213sarah
