Lot 219
1883. Without "CENTS". PCGS graded MS-67 PQ. CAC Approved. Well struck with light even tone on both sides and superb mint bloom throughout. A magnificent Gem. Mint Engraver Charles E. Barber made working hubs and dies of the newly authorized Liberty or "V" five-cent piece, explains the Breen encyclopedia, "from which came almost 5.5 million 1883 No CENTS coins. At which point, as Herman Melville put it, "the whole powder train went up." People noticed that the coins had no mention of CENTS, and began saving these "mistake" nickels on the correct assumption that the design would be changed to incorporate the necessary word. (Unsurprisingly, they are still plentiful in high grades, mostly VF to AU.) But worse was to follow.
"Unscrupulous persons reeded the edges of many of these coins, gold plated them, and palmed them off on the unwary as new $5 gold pieces."
The word CENTS was quickly appended to a new hub and the replacement "With CENTS" working dies put into the presses. Pop 20; none finer at PCGS. Tied for Finest graded at PCGS (PCGS # 3841) .
Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500.
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| Realized $5,170 |
