Walter Breen
No. 48 of the above was authenticated for John Dean Coin Co., in May 1972, and sold March 30, 1973 by Mitchell Proctor of that firm to Chattanooga Coin Co., then on June 5, 1973 by Gary Filler of that firm to James N. Anthony of Arkansas.
The R. E. Cox coin (1962 N. Y. Metropolitan:2125) has not been traced with certainty to its original source. Its cataloguer cited others which had been ruined by mistaken attempts at cleaning. These have not been traced in recent years.
At least one counterfeit exists; this was shown me in a convention a few years back. It appears to have been fraudulently manufactured from a regular and originally genuine business strike, by crude sandblasting; the nicks on rims and fields show sandblast surface within them, proving that the nicks preceded the operation -which would surely not have been the case with a genuine proof. In confirmation, relief details are not as good as on regular uncirculated specimens, whereas on the proofs they are considerably sharper. I mention these facts in order that nobody else will be deceived by anything similar.
1934
Maryland Tercentenary Half Dollar. At least three matte proofs reported. Wayte Raymond had one many years ago; two others reportedly came from the J. R. Sinnock estate, via 1962 ANA: 2053-4. Much more relief detail shows on Calvert's hair and on arms and supporters than on regular uncirculated specimens.
No report as yet of any of the Texas Centennial halves in matte proof, nor of .. any of the Boone Bicentennial coins.
1935
Connecticut Tercentenary Half Dollar. Two matte proofs reported, one of them from the Sinnock estate, via 1962 ANA: 2055. Whereabouts unknown to me, though someone evidently had either shown or reported one to Arlie Slabaugh as it is mentioned in his book United States Commemorative Coinage, Whitman, 1963, p.87. In checking coins suspected of being matte proofs, look especially for unusual clarity on oak leaves and on breast and wing feathers; letters on reverse also should be in higher relief than on regular uncirculated pieces. A real matte proof of this design, rarity aside, would be one of the finest display coinsof the twentieth century.
Arkansas Centennial Half Dollar. One matte proof reported of the 1935 date.
San Diego-Pacific Exposition. (1935-S) Half Dollar. Wayte Raymond had seen a splendid matte proof of this coin; one other, ex Sinnock estate, has been subsequently reported. I have not seen either piece and therefore cannot be certain whether the proofs actually bear the S mintmark, unlike the 1915 Pan-Pacific coins. It would be interesting to learn if any proofs are included in the enormous hoard.
Hudson, N.Y., Sesquicentennial Half Dollar. Two matte proofs reported, one ex Sinnock estate. I have seen neither one but the informants for these as for the preceding ones are reliable enough. There are presumably more details showing on Neptune's hair and beard, triton, and obverse ship's hull than on the regular unc. coins, though it is dubious if the original design contained much detail to begin with.
Old Spanish Trail 1535-1935 Half Dollar. Two matte proofs reported, one of them seen by Wayte Raymond, the other from the Sinnock estate; more may exist. I was shown one of these during the middle 1950's. It is fine grain matte and has an almost chalky look; more relief detail on cow's head (the lovely punning device for Cabeza de Vaca) than on regular uncirculated pieces; reverse details, even the flowers surmounting the yucca tree, are needle sharp. A most remarkable coin.