US Patterns- WHAT U.S. COINAGE COULD HAVE BEEN
J-1668 3 Cent - Barber Liberty Head in Nickel

Owner Comments:

1881 3C Liberty Head Three Cents
Judd-1668, Pollock-1869
Rarity: High R.6, PR64
EX: Lemus

Struck in nickel with a plain edge.
Obverse: The Charles Barber Liberty Head obverse. Head facing left, similar to the adopted Liberty Head nickel design, but UNITED STATES OF AMERICA rings the obverse in thick, widely spaced letters, with date 1881 below.

Reverse: The denomination with the Roman numeral III located in the center of an agricultural wreath, (similar to the 1883 regular-issue nickel design).

Comment: The powder-gray surfaces offer bold eye appeal, a function equally of the absence of marks and bold strike that immediately suggest a conservative grade for this nice example. Slight shadowing in the field in front of the Bust serves as a diagnostics feature. ‘’Somewhat less than two dozen examples of this pattern issue are certified at NGC and PCGS combined, a few of them likely duplicates.

Provenance/ Appearance:
Acquired from dealer in the Houston show Jan 2018; Prior From The Lemus Collection, Queller Family Collection Part Two , Heritage Jan 2009 Orlando FUN / Lot #1941 9 (NGC PF64 Holder); Heritage July 1994; The 1994 ANA Sale / Lot #7951 ($2800); Stacks Nov 2017 Baltiomore Lot #3734 (passed) anf Stacks Jun 2017 Baltimore Lot #11608 (Passed)