Owner Comments:
The population report may be deceiving for the 1896 TF. With three examples grading MS 67, and three more at MS 65, this may seem like a common Dinero. In reality, the 1896 TF is a quite difficult date to find in any grade, and is much more difficult to find than the 1896 F (which has a smaller graded population). Of course, a few very high end coins were passed down.
One at NGC in 62, one in 63, one in 64, three in 65 (two 1896/5), one in 65 at PCGS (1896/5) three in 67 at PCGS (two are 1896/5). Nine total graded in mint state, six in Gem or better.
Flatt reports no varieties. Krause reports an 1896/5, and a few have been graded as such. The price guide gives a $90 value in MS 60 for the plain date and $45 for the overdate. Insanity! There is no reason for this price differential. I would like to report that the higher number is more accurate, given this coins rarity, but the lower number is closer to market reality. The amusing thing is the Krause gives the higher value to the 1896/5 F, rather than the plain date, the opposite of what they have done for the "TF".
My coin is the lone MS 64, with seven better. A lovely lusterous original coin with subtle tone. Lightly scattered marks determine the grade. The first three numerals of the date are re-punched. An associate has an 1896 TF with the same die cracks on the reverse (thus from the same die) and says he sees "something" under the 6. I don't on my coin.