Owner Comments:
Total Graded: 2088
Total Prooflike: 4
Percentage: 0.1916%
The census reports 4 graded prooflike examples, but looking through the Heritage archives proves that at least one of them is a resubmission (my present example, actually makes two appearances in the archives, in two different slabs with different numbers). All of them are from 1867, and they all grade very high (in the 65 to 66 range). Specialists in shield nickels will tell you that, especially in the early years, prooflike examples are common. However, having looked at enough of them in search of a suitable example for my set, these “prooflike” coins are really coins which have prooflike tendencies, but which rarely exceed semi-prooflike status. They are attractive coins, for sure, but if they do not meet the minimum requirements for the prooflike designation, then they cannot be called prooflike.
My coin is a stunning example of the With Rays type. Gorgeously reflective fields are characterized by die polish throughout. This is a late die state coin, but it is well struck for the type. The shield nickel series is well known for its plethora of varieties, and this one is no exception. It sports a F-04 repunched date, and the repunched 1 is clearly and easily visible in my pictures. All in all, this is a fantastic coin, and one I am very proud to add to my collection.