Owner Comments:
1883 5C Liberty Head
Judd-1706, Pollock-1910
Rarity: High R.7, PR65 NGC
Ex Lemus
Struck in Aluminum with a plain edge
Obverse:
The obverse is similar in design to the Liberty nickel adopted in this year, except around the obverse instead of stars are the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Reverse:
Has a central inscription that reads PURE NICKEL, surrounded by a wreath of cotton and corn. FIVE CENTS is separated above and below with seven stars left and six right.
Comment:
Despite the reverse inscription, the piece is struck in aluminum, a metal that was still quite rare at the time. The various patterns imitating the Liberty Head design of Charles Barber are popular with both pattern collectors and aficionados of the regular series.
USPatterns.com’s Saul Teichman had only traced seven pieces
Sharply struck and prominently mirrored with lightly frosted devices and an occasional hint of gray toning.
Provenance/Appearance:
From Heritage Jan 2025 Fun / Lot #5458: Priors:
Ex: Abe Kosoff, 6/1955;
Auction '86 (Paramount, 7/1986), Lot #1829;
Lemus Collection, Queller Family Collection Part Two FUN (Heritage, 1/2009), Lot #1949.