Prooflike US Type Set
5C SHIELD, NO RAYS (1867-1883)

Owner Comments:

Total Graded: 6152
Total Prooflike: 2
Percentage: 0.0325%

Prooflike Shield Nickels, like most nickels, are quite rare. I have heard from shield nickel specialists that PL Shields are more common than the census numbers indicate, because many of them had not been submitted. I, however, disagree. I have seen many semi-PL shield nickels, but very few of them have the full reflectivity and noticeably mirrors that are required for the designation. Of the 2 examples graded of the No Rays type, my example is by far the highest graded (the other one is a 62PL). Both of these examples are from 1871, which leads me to believe that an old proof die may have been used, or a die that was initially intended to be proof.

My coin has deep, water mirrors with excellent cameo contrast. The coin is a shimmering gem, and one of the nicest Shield Nickels I have ever seen. There are minor mint made planchet flaws near the rims, but they do not detract significantly from the eye appeal of this coin. As NGC has denoted, this coin has a star for its superior eye appeal (with the cameo contrast) and the deeply reflective mirrors (which just miss being DPL).