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A facial birthmark or scar can be argued to add "character". I would still rather not have them...

One can born with scars unfortunately. I remember some salesman once said on TV that inclusions in a diamond are a good thing as they give the stone unique character. Who was he kidding? Back to the 1902 matte proof. In my view, the minting process was over when the coins have been struck. The wiping wasn't part of the minting process and was mishandling by workers after minting. The fact that many (but not all) 1902 matt proof have wipe marks do help to make them more tolerable to collectors but you won't find many people thinking the marks are a positive feature. If you buy a modern commemorative coin from the Royal Mint today and it comes with a fingerprint, you would immediately return it due to mishandling in the mint.

Ah, I didn’t notice the diameter. Could be a threefarthings then.

Not really my period, but it looks like a 1561 Elizabeth I threehalfpence to me. The third, fourth and fifth issues did have dates, although not the penny.