The U.S. & Ancients Coinage Auction
October 2, 2000

Liberty Nickels

Lot 1566 Click on Picture to EnlargeClick on Picture to Enlarge
1883. Without "CENTS". NGC graded Proof 65. A flashy gem example of this partial year type coin, which is represented by 3 distinct types, this being the middle one. With a bit of fingerprint toning in the left obverse field, and slight nickel haze on the reverse. Hints of gold on the devices, and this is pleasing for the grade assigned. Tough to find better.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.

Lot 1567
1883. Without "CENTS". NGC graded MS-65. Light golden toning is starting to form on the obverse, well struck except on the first few stars.
Estimated Value $120-140.

Lot 1568
1883. With "CENTS". NGC graded Proof 65. Bright and flashy, with just a whisper of toning on the obverse. Frosty devices and well mirrored in the fields. Minor handling marks visible with a glass. An impressive example of the with CENTS reverse, employed to stop a few racketeers from gold-plating these nickels and passing them off as half eagles, much to the embarrassment of the mint. As the current State quarters have recently been found to be gold colored, we expect someone may be trying to pass them off as Sacagawea dollars, history goes round and round....
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1569
1884. NGC graded Proof 65. Untoned on the obverse, with a bit of hazy toning on the reverse. Excellent surfaces on this gem, and scarcer than the mintage would indicate.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1570 Click on Picture to EnlargeClick on Picture to Enlarge
1885. NGC graded Proof 66. The key date the series, with the lowest mintage of all save for the 1912-S (which was saved in quantity). Only 3,790 proofs were struck, of which NGC has graded 102 this high, with just 10 graded higher. This example is toned, with some streaky elements ranging through yellow to brown. Similar on the reverse, with mottled color elements over the mirror surfaces. Free of handling problems, but this one doesn't appear to have been stored properly. As always, it is best for the collector to view the coin before bidding, if possible, to most accurately determine the value.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.

Lot 1571 Click on Picture to EnlargeClick on Picture to Enlarge
1885. NGC graded Proof 66. Minor coinage was interrupted at the Mint from February 16, 1885 until nearly the end of 1886, which explains why so few nickels were coined of this date and the 1886. Apparently, the Mint was ordered to coin Morgan dollars and gold coins. Just 3,790 were coined in proof for the 1885, of which NGC has graded 96 this high, with a scant 9 higher. Light coppery toning on both sides, boldly struck throughout and carefully preserved. A few minor ticks from absolute perfection, mostly on the reverse.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.

Lot 1572
1886. NGC graded Proof 65. Flashy and bright, with just a few specks from handling. One of the rare dates in this series, always popular with collectors for its low mintage date, and seldom found in gem grades. There is a planchet mark or tick on the U of UNUM on the reverse, and another on the bullet left of the word CENTS.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1573
1887. NGC graded Proof 65. A lovely coin which boasts bluish toning on the obverse, and a faded streak across the reverse. Curiously some of the obverse stars are not fully struck up, and show little definition at the centers. Better check this one out before bidding.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1574
1888. NGC graded Proof 65. Toned with yellow fingerprint colors on the reverse, a bit more even on the obverse with yellow hues. Sharply impressed and scarce in this grade. Seldom found without spots or similar problems.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1575
1889. NGC graded Proof 65. With gold and russet colors on both sides, this coin has more toning than usually encountered. Excellent surfaces and free of spots or other problems.
Estimated Value $425-475.

Lot 1576
1890. NGC graded Proof 65. A rather dull toned proof which has a small spot before Liberty's eye. When examined under a light the colors do come alive, with hints of yellow and blue shades in concentric circles. Worth a look.
Estimated Value $475-525.

Lot 1577
1891. NGC graded Proof 65. Well mirrored fields which provide excellent contrast for the frosted devices. Light toning is starting to form over the spot-free and well preserved surfaces. Seldom found better, and pretty tough to find this nice.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1578
1892. NGC graded Proof 65. Light hazy toning over the mirror fields and frosty devices. Sharply struck and impressive.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1579
1893. NGC graded Proof 65. Hazy yellow-gray toning on both sides and well struck by the dies. A few minor hairlines, but no spots, specks or other detractions.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1580
1894. NGC graded Proof 65. Hazy toning and a few minor specks on Liberty's neck and below. Clean surfaces, keeping this one firmly in the gem class.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1581
1895. NGC graded Proof 65. Here is a lovely coin, the periphery has some smoky yellow toning which changes to nickel blue sheen in the fields. There is a pair of tiny spots under the D of UNITED, and another planchet flake on the denomination. Minor hairlines, but appealing overall.
Estimated Value $475-525.

Lot 1582
1896. NGC graded Proof 65. Faint toning on the obverse, a bit more on the reverse. Flashy devices which seem to float on the glass-like fields.
Estimated Value $450-500.

Lot 1583
1897. NGC graded Proof 65. Lightly toned with the wood-grain pattern familiar on nickel coinage. Flashy and bright, the only complaint are minor hairlines in the fields, well hidden by the toning.
Estimated Value $450-500.

Lot 1584
1897. PCGS graded Proof 65. Lightly toned on both sides, and problem free.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1585
1898. NGC graded Proof 65. A lovely gem proof which has streaky wood-grain toning and spot-free surfaces. Seldom found better.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1586
1899. PCGS graded Proof 66. Rose colored at the centers surrounded by a hint of blue around the peripheries. Liberty's cheek is especially fresh and well preserved, and impressive example for the type or date collector.
Estimated Value $800-850.

Lot 1587
1899. NGC graded Proof 65. Lilac and gold toning on the obverse, more golden on the reverse. Sharply impressed by the dies, with each star full and complete, as well as the central devices. An impressive nickel. One tiny mark on Liberty's cheek from a higher grade, which it still may deserve. Spot-free and an excellent choice for the date.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1588
1899. Proof 63. Lightly toned and choice for the grade.
Estimated Value $90-110.

Lot 1589
1900. PCGS graded Proof 65. A beautiful coin for the grade, this one boasts a high degree of white flashy devices, and deep mirrors in the fields. Only a blush of toning is noted in the fields, and the coin is mostly white. It resides in an old style little PCGS holder, and has obviously been off the market for many years.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1590
1900. NGC graded Proof 65. Lightly toned and reflective. Free of spotting or other nickel related "problems" that often mar lower grade specimens, not so here, all is bright, fresh and original.
Estimated Value $400-450.