Lot 1085
1870 Nickel Three Cents. NGC graded Proof 65. Mostly untoned. Scarce in Proof 65. From center to periphery the gleam of luminous original luster glows on this well made Proof.
In the late 1860s, the mint authorities were becoming interested in having a uniform design for the minor coins. James Longacre, the mint's chief engraver, therefore prepared a Liberty head obverse for the nickel five-cent piece similar to that used on the regular three-cent piece and tried it with several reverse designs.
He also made a set of three reverses for the minor coins having a wreath of oak and olive branches connected at the top by scrolls and a six pointed star with a pellet beneath. These differed only in size and the Roman numeral within the wreath, V, III and I. Nothing came of the experiment, and therefore only the III copper-nickel Three-cent pieces remain from that experiment. Total of 1000+ Proofs struck in 1870. Pop 75; 77 finer; 15 in 66; 1 in 66 Star; 1 in 67 Star. (PCGS # 3766) .
Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,500.
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| Realized $1,380 |
