United States: 1883 copper-nickel proof 5-cents, Shield type

United States: 1883 copper-nickel proof 5-cents, Shield type

PCGS PR64. Cert. #43777735. CAC verified.

Numista-4411, Krause-Mishler-97.

Mintage: 5,419.

Ex-David Lawrence Rare Coins, Inventory #2392321, 12 July 2022.

1883 was an interesting transitional year for the nickel 5-cent piece. There were three types issued that year. This, the first type, was the last of the Shield nickels, which had been struck since 1866. Proof Shield nickels dated 1883 continued to be struck alongside the new Liberty nickel, which had made its debut on January 30th of the year. The first Liberty nickels lacked the word "CENTS" on the reverse. But that design was altered to include the word, creating a second type for the Liberty nickel and the third nickel type of the year. When the modified Liberty nickels with the word "CENTS" added began production on June 26th, 1883, production of the old Shield nickel ceased.

This is a lovely proof example with some mint frost and contrast, though apparently not quite enough for it to have been awarded the Cameo (CAM) designation. It has strong eye appeal. In addition to the PCGS certification, it has been confirmed in the grade by the Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC), which affixed their popular "green bean" sticker to the slab.



052000

 

Not for sale, but PCGS says $585 (not taking the CAC bean into account).

I have $520 in it, for what that's worth.

 

I'd much rather spend my money on the mint's products from 100-200+ years ago than blow it on their modern output. Mind you, I'm not hatin' on modern coins, but when one has a limited budget (and don't we all?), then one has to have priorities, is all I'm sayin'. You knowhutimean.