Expected costs for a nice matte proof Lincoln cent?

I thought I wanted one, but I didn't realize that they were so pricey. I'm looking at Heritage completed auctions. It looks like you'd have to spend at least $1k for even a "common date" PF63.

Am I right in this?

 

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You should be able to find a decent 1910 or 1913 for a little over 500.
I know of a details coin with 95% original color with pretty toning for 375.
Pm for pics.

 

Thanks. I must be using the wrong search terms at Heritage.

I searched on "matte proof" in "Lincoln wheat cents" and restricted the years to 1909-1916. I don't know how else I could have searched...?

Or is this the type of coin that I'd need to search for at shows or from dealers?

 

Try just "proof" and do each date separately. Or just get rid of Matte

 

You should be able to find a really nice one for $500-$600. PF64s can be had for only a bit more. There are a lot of problem coins in straight graded plastic. If you are not familiar with these, I suggest a CACed coin.

 

Just buy a regular 1909 Lincoln. There’s a simple way to make it look like a matte proof:

 

I'm not entirely sure what you were looking at, but here's what I see: https://coins.ha.com/c/search-resul...90+231+328+573+79&ic4=Refine-CoinGrade-102615

Looks like, over the past year, quite a few PR63 RB were sold in the $450-$600 range.

 

Thanks. Yeah, my search was way off.

 

I'm always looking to cherry pick one on Ebay. No luck yet.

A few years back I did pick up this one raw for just over $400 on Ebay. Takes a good amount of studying to be comfortable buying one raw.

Had it graded by NGC

 

Thanks for the offer, Ed.

Just out of curiosity, why 1910 and 1913? Strictly based on the mintage numbers?



Would 1909, 1911, and 1912 come close behind 1910 and 1913?

 

I believe that is the case. 1910 is the easiest to find, and cheapest, but usually not by too much. I think they are supported by being a type coin.
Then 1911 and 1912 with 1909 being closer to 1914 maybe even a bit higher. 1915 and 16 are pricey, and a 1909 VDB costs as much as a house, if you could even find one.
Kevin Flynn wrote a book called "Matte Proof Lincolns" which is helpful with diagnostics and has all the data and lots of pictures.
Pricing has as much to do with eye appeal as it does grade from what I have seen.

 

This is a very good point. There are some pretty ugly MPLs out there. There are a few on Ebay right now. Personally, I find those in brown to be more appealing than those in red. The red ones obviously are much more rare but the brown ones usually toned very nicely and they usually show off the amazing strike of the coin better. And most that grade above gem red are 5 figure coins and out of my price range by far lol.

 

I have a 1998d copper nickel I would sell you !

 

I agree, I really like the one you posted above. The toning is my favorite thing about MPL's.

 

That one is wonderful too.

 

Thanks, the little spot improperly removed above the 19 in the date makes it a 370$ coin instead of 800$

 

Ouch I wondered about that spot.