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Sale 48
Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction
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Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 759 |
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1867 Shield Nickel. Rays. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. Housed in NGC holder #3210246-004. Well struck and fully white. Only 25+ Proofs minted.
Given the circumstances in which the Proofs were probably struck during this transition year, the actual mintage for the Proof 1867 Rays nickel is not known for certain. Peters and Mohon (1993) hold that the total is may be in the neighborhood of 15-25 pieces. What we do know is that this issue is the leading rarity in the Proof Shield nickel series, as well as among the rarest nickels of any type in the history of that beloved denomination (author Q. David Bowers even wrote a book about the five-cent piece in Put Another Nickel In).
The dazzlingly bright specimen that we are offering in this lot is a very sharply struck coin. Truth be told, there are absolutely no ill-defined features on either side, even the reverse star centrals exhibit crisp delineation. Mirrored reflectivity in the fields provides 100% contrast for the frosty finish of the devices. As benefits the NGC grade of Proof 66 Cameo, there are no distracting blemishes or carbon spots of any kind to distract attention. A planchet ripple (as made) in the reverse field through the U of UNITED should also help trace the provenance of this irrefutable rarity among U.S. Shield nickels. Pop 1; 1 finer in 66 star (PCGS # 3818) .
Historic note: There was a some interest in financial circles following the Civil War to introduce the metric system to the monetary system. Joseph Wharton's new nickel alloy coin seemed to fit in well with this idea. (Wharton owned a nickel mine at Lancaster Gap, Pennsylvania and stood to profit handsomely.)
In May 1866, legislation was enacted for a metric 5-gram copper-nickel five-cent piece. The artwork for the Shield nickel is by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre. For the obverse he used an American shield surmounted by a cross for decoration. The reverse had thirteen stars with rays between them, a favorite design of modern-day numismatists.
Estimated Value $110,000 - 120,000.
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| Unsold |
Lot 760 |
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1877 Shield Nickel. NGC graded Proof 67 Cameo. Fully white cameo. Only 510+ Proofs struck. Always in demand as a Proof-only issue, the 1877 has a low original mintage somewhere north of 510 pieces (estimates vary). Demand for Gems continues to outgrow ready supply, principally because a complete date set of Gem quality Shield nickels requires the inclusion of a Proof-only 1877. A breath of fresh air among generally mediocre offerings in recent years, this beautiful untoned beauty enjoys bold field-to-device contrast. Whereas the mirrors are deeply reflective in mint finish, the devices display more of a satiny look that is perhaps a bit bolder on the obverse with its ornate Union shield flanked by two olive branches. Both sides are indubitably sharp in striking detail -- sharp as a keen cutting edge -- with complete freedom from blemishes. Pop 3; 1 finer in 67 star (PCGS # 3831) .
Estimated Value $14,000 - 15,000.
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Lot 761 |
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1882 Shield Nickel. NGC graded Proof 67. Explosive luster erupts vividly beneath billowing delicately toned highlights, while bursts of frost form aura at the peaks of the design elements of this gleaming Gem Proof. The strike is superb in all areas, without even a lightness at the shield stripes or horizontal lines. 3,100 proofs struck. Pop 33; 4 in 68.
Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400.
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| Unsold |
Lot 762 |
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1885 Liberty Nickel. NGC graded Good-4. Popular key date with natural wear and all devices clear (PCGS # 3846) .
Estimated Value $450 - 500.
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| Realized
$518 |
Lot 763 |
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1909 Liberty Nickel. NGC graded Proof 65. Nicely toned. A bold Gem Proof that has lovely contrast between the fields and devices, made all the more attractive by the natural toning. Housed in an old NGC holder. Only 4,763 Proofs minted (PCGS # 3907) .
Estimated Value $450 - 500.
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| Realized
$719 |
Lot 764 |
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1911 Liberty Nickel. NGC graded MS-65. Nicely toned over smooth satiny surfaces. A few stars at the top aren't sharply struck, but the main central motifs are on this Gem specimen. Pop 159; 22 finer, 21 in 66, 1 in 67 (PCGS # 3872) .
Estimated Value $400 - 425.
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| Realized
$357 |
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