US Patterns- WHAT U.S. COINAGE COULD HAVE BEEN
J-1691 5C - Liberty Head Stars on Obverse (Barber) (copper)

Owner Comments:

1882 5C Barber Head In Copper
Judd-1691, Pollock-1893
Rarity R.6, PR63 RB

Struck in copper with a plain edge.

Obverse: Bust of Liberty facing lft with 13 stars surrounding and the date below.

Reverse: Same as the regular issue 1883 nickel but without “CENTS” , the V is within the wreath and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arround the top half.

Comments:
This piece is known as the "Exact Type of 1883," but in reality this pattern differs slightly with a different arrangement of the obverse stars. Still, it is a popular precursor to the adopted Liberty nickel of 1883.
This exceptional Gem has deep shadings of blue and original copper-red over each side and deep mirrors. Quite an attractive coin despite numerous speckles of carbon, particularly over the obverse. A fingerprint fragment on the lower left obverse quadrant corresponds to the grade but does serve as a nice diagnostic.

Provenance:
John L. Harris Collection (Stack's, 11/1950), lot 74; Exemplar Collection. & The Kling Family Collection, Heritage Jan 2016 FUN – Tampa / Lot #3330 ($3055) (NGC holder 3678177-168), Heritage April 2016 CSNS – Chicago / Lot #5624 (Current PCGS Holder)