PCGS PR63
- PCGS #:
- 102798
- Designer:
- James Barton Longacre
- Edge:
- Plain
- Diameter:
- 20.50 millimeters
- Weight:
- 5.00 grams
- Mintage:
- 3,200
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
- Auction Record:
- $685 • PR63 • 12-23-2023 • eBay
Die Varieties
Condition Census What Is This?
#1 PCGS PR65
Faint golden toning. Small diagonal mark to the left of the flag of 5. |
|
#2 PCGS PR63
Golden toning. Mirrors subdued. Copper-orange toning spot on the innter leaf near 2 o'clock. A series of thin diagonal hairlines on the reverse near 5. |
The 1879 Shield Nickel Proof, JD-2
In United States Proof Coins, Volume IV: Nickel (2023), John W. Dannreuther identifies two "perfect date" varieties of the 1879 Shield Nickel Proof: JD-2 (#102798) and JD-3 (#102801). The obverse and reverse dies for these varieties are unique to each pairing. For JD-2, Obverse 2 (noted for its repunched date) is paired with Reverse B, which features a distinct, naked-eye break in the lower bowl of the "S" in "CENTS."
Collecting the 1879 Shield Nickel Proof, JD-2
While PCGS has long certified 1879 and 1879/8 Shield Nickel Proofs (#3834), die marriage variety certification for this series was only introduced in recent years. Consequently, cherrypicking JD-2 and JD-3 examples in older certified holders remains relatively easy—provided you know the pickup points. Once identified, PCGS can attribute these varieties through our Variety Program and record them to the Population Report.
Dannreuther estimates that 17% of the total 1879 Shield Nickel Proof production was struck using the 2-B (JD-2) die marriage. Applying a conservative attrition rate of 25%, the estimated number of extant examples stands at approximately 400 pieces.
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