1885 Liberty Nickels - Take a shot

Guess the designation (PF or MS) and take a shot at guessing the grade. These three coins reside in NGC & PCGS holders. None are problem coins so scratches you might see in the photos are most probably on the plastic.

Thanks for looking &
Very best regards,
Collect89

 

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I could be way off base, and I am not good with proofs, but it looks like the last 2 are proofs, the first one seems to be less "sharp" in its' details. I'm basing this mainly on the reverses.

 

MS-63
PF-64
PF-64 (cameo obverse, but not designated on slab)

 

Ms 64
pf 66
pf 66

 

hint: pay close attention to die markers on proof coins, and I suspect you'll see some similarity between two of the above coins.

 

I'd say B & C are proofs just because of the sharp strikes , I wish I could see the rims better . Beautiful coins .
rzage

 

I think B has a fantastic strike. Among other things, look how sharp the dentils are. :thumb:

I have a PR65 CAM V nickel in a PCGS holder, but my photos are awful. They have these flecks of "snow", kind of like the reverse photo of B.

 

MS-64
PF-65 but the reverse image looks MS
PF-63 maybe 64
Nice coins.

 

I figure the A must be a business strike because of the obv. die crack. MS64?
B and C must be proofs because the surfaces look flashy to me and the strikes are so crisp. I think I see a hint of wire rims on those also. I have no idea how to grade proofs from photos, I won't even try (chicken!)

 

Okay - my shot. I have looked at them 4 or 5 times. The rims and dentils seem square on the last 2 coins - I don't know about liberty nickel proofs. So I agree those are proofs. As for the grades I will say the second coin has a much better strike than the third. As bonedigger would say "hammered" for the second coin. As for the grades how about this - MS64/65 for the first - then the second coin is 1 or two points higher than the 3rd - my estimate PF63 for the third and PF64/65 for the second.

Can you please point out the die markers mentioned? I noticed two little tick marks on the first one, but other than that I come up blank. I think the different colors of the coins are causing me to imagine things.

 

Look along the rim on the obverse -- and pay attention to the dentils.

 

All I can say is: WOW!!!!!!!!! I'd be happy to give any of those three a nice comfortable home.

 

Didn't even notice the die crack on A. so it can't be a proof , guess I was right B. & c. are the proofs . What are the markers ? Nice catch on the Die crack , ksparrow .
rzage

 

Question - why could't a proof have a die crack? I understand they would be more likely on business strikes, but why not a proof?

I keep looking for markers where treashunt mentioned and the only thing I see is a line through the dentils in certain places that look identical. Then my eyes start watering and I start imagining or seeing different things. I am stumped on this one.

 

Thanks to all for looking!

A = MS64

B = PF66

C = PF64

The mint state coin "A" has the die crack which is a decent diagnostic for mint state manufacture. It's not 100% but it is a good indicator. There are some flow lines & good luster on coin “A” which give confidence in giving the mint state designation.

I personally like the PF64 (coin C) better than the PF66 (coin B). The PF64 has some honey colored tone on the devices that is just pretty. The PF66 is just perfect.

Thanks to all for looking!

Very best regards,
collect89

 

They were very carefull with the early proofs , and I'm sure if a die crack developed they would of caught it , also they only made a few thousand proofs of V nickles with 4,582 for the 1888 and 6,783 for the 1883 being the most , way to early for a die to crack unless defective , but you know the saying , never say never , so it could be a rare posability .

rzage:thumb:

 

proof coins certainly can have die cracks

Here is an excerpt from Q. David Bowers Liberty Nickel book-

The Numismatist , April 1951, included a letter from Robert Scott from Aurora Illinois noting that his "1885 Liberty Nickel in brilliant Proof condition.... has a sizeable die break on the obverse side through the hair and out to the edge of the coin, at about 2:00 as for position".

This description of the proof coin with die crack does not match my 1885 mint state example's die crack.

Very best regards,
collect89

 

Nice thread, and if you own all 3 of these you must have a heck of a collection!

Glad I saw the die crack, because i learned something new about proofs, thanks for following up on that!

 

Thanks for the info , that's what's great about this site always learning from each other .
rzage:thumb:

 

Whoa.

Did I just get one of these things right?