Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins 1722-1989

Cent. [1050] Very rare and seldom offered, though many sharp business strikes have been masquerading as proofs. The finish differs very slightly from that on the 1915 or earlier matte proof cents and as a result authentication is very difficult. In part one must use the broad borders, exceptional sharpness on devices, sharp edges (inner and outer) on raised rims, together with the completely uniform texture which does not resemble mint bloom or frost. Processed coins will not have the sharpness of the genuine. The enlarged illustration may help. Private sale records above $400.

Five Cents. [600] Extremely rare. Type III (as on regular issues 1916 and later): taller profile, longer nose, sharper LIBERTY. Surfaces as on 1914-15 coins. Auction record $400, Merkin, Nov. 1965.

Minor proof sets. Mostly broken up. In LM 3/68: 325 was one directly from the mint, which contained (elsewhere offered) dime, quarter and half dollar of the new type, unc., in lieu of the ordered proofs.

Dime. Not even a rumor of a brilliant proof of the Barber design.

-Mercury design. By Adolph Alexander Weinman. Satin finish proof, similar to the 5¢ in surfaces. Regular type. (1) Mint, SI. (2) Ex Dr. James O. Sloss. I was only a few hours late in attempting to obtain this coin (1950) from a Philadelphia dealer, Asher Leatherman, who then informed me that Sloss had bought it. (3) Private coll., East Coast, early 1960's. These all have extreme detail sharpness, sharp inner edges to borders, evensurface without a trace of mint bloom or frost. There are also several patterns for this design; the only ones which concern us here are slightly modified versions of the adopted type, with smaller date, but lacking Weinman's monogram A W. One of these, from Newcomer, Green and Wayte Raymond, was offered as NN 35:392, but unfortunately not illustrated; it reappeared as 1958 ANA: 74. The differences from the adopted design were very slight indeed, enough so that conceivably others might exist masquerading as regular issues. (Have you checked your 1916 unc. dime for initial W lately?)

Quarter. Liberty Standing design. At least two modified versions of regular design exist, in matte proof, without designer's initial M. One of these (badly cleaned) is in the Smithsonian; I saw the other many years ago, kept no record of it for fear of possible involvement in a seizure action, and am now sorry I could not at least obtain a photograph. It is also likely that more than two specimens of the adopted type may exist in matte proof state outside the Smithsonian. Have you looked at yours lately for the M? If it does have the M, check key details of design -drapery at lower belly, eagle's wing and breast feathers, details of inescutcheon on shield, etc. -as well as striking qualities of head, shield, knee and feet. Extreme sharpness of these usually partly weak areas together with unusually broad rims with sharp inner and outer edges may be reason for having the coin authenticated as a possible matte proof.

Half Dollar. Walking Liberty design. Aside from the easily recognizable patterns, there is a modification of the adopted type with date unusually closely spaced (entirely fitting below Ms. Liberty's foot); this exists in proof to the extent at least 4 examples. I have also seen four or five pieces of the regular design that quality as matte proofs; the central details are needle sharp (even branch hand!) and the borders are as typical of matte proofs as one could wish. Same comment as to quarters.

Commemoratives. McKinley Gold Dollar. Brilliant proofs exist. (1) Smithsonian. (2) Neil: 2380. (3) "Memorable": 77 set. (4) A piece I found some years ago and sold to Catherine Bullowa at one of the conventions.

The proofs show more detail on the President's hair than do regular uncirculated pieces. Possibly more than four are around.