Owner Comments:
1883 5C Liberty Nickel
Judd-1719, Pollock-1924
Rarity: Low R.7, PR64
Struck in aluminum with a plain edge
Obverse: Identical to regular issue Liberty nickel
Reverse: Similar to the adopted design with the Roman Numeral V in the cantered of a wreath of corn wheat and cotton, but the Roman numeral V is slightly smaller and with a scroll across it inscribed CENTS. The E PLURIBUS UNUM is on the reverse exergue below wreath
Comments:
It is believed that this pattern was created to correct for the regular production issue not having the denomination 5 Cents on it. Unscrupulous individuals were apparently gold plating the nickels and passing them off as half eagles The Saul Teichman census shows only six specimens.
A fleck of carbon on Liberty's lower nose provides an identifier, as the strike-throughs on the field below the chin are also seen on other examples. Well struck and unmarked with noticeable white-on-black contrast on the reverse.
22.9 grains, per the 1990’s Bowers and Merena catalog appearance.
Provenance/Appearances:
From Heritage Jan 2025 FUN / Lot # 5465; Priors
-Ex: Detroit Historical Society (Stack's, 3/1980), lot 703;
-Boston ANA (Steve Ivy 8/1982), lot 2905;
-Steve Ivy Oct 1983 ( The Clarmont Sale) / Lot 4609
-Wyatt Collection (Superior 9/1985), lot 1390;
-Auction '86 (Paramount, 8/1986), lot 1830;
-R.H. Gore, Jr. (Bowers and Merena, 1/1990), lot 649.
-W. Wilcox, Julian Leidman
NGC Coin Explorer Plate Coin for J1719