CLOSEUP OF OVERDATE
PCGS PR68
- PCGS #:
- 3834
- 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:
- $84,000 • PR69 • 01-14-2019 • Heritage Auctions
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 1,000 |
| 60 or Better | 950 |
| 65 or Better | 500 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-5.0 |
| 60 or Better | R-5.1 |
| 65 or Better | R-6.0 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 12 / 18 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 11 / 18 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 13 / 18 |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 14 / 20 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 13 / 20 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 15 / 20 |
Condition Census What Is This?
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#1 PCGS PR69
Bowers & Merena, January 2000, Lot 58 - $23,000; "The Just Having Fun Collection," Stack's Bowers, October 2014, Lot 36 - Passed; Heritage Auctions, January 14, 2019, Lot 4375 - $84,000. JD-1. Old Green Holder (OGH). Features crescent rainbow toning on both the obverse and reverse. A dark toning spot touches the left side of the stem of the second "T" in STATES. |
#2 PCGS PR68
Heritage Auctions, December 18, 2022, Lot 3396 - $8,640. Lavender-blue and peach toning. bverse toning spot near the rim, near 3 o'clock. |
#2 PCGS PR68
As PCGS PR68 #9691666. "The Western Hills Collection," Heritage Auctions, June 2005, Lot 5533 - $7,475; Joseph O' Connor to Eugene H. Garden, via private sale, May 16, 2011; "The Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II," Heritage Auctions, October 27, 2014, Lot 98144 - $8,812.50; As PCGS PR68 #33331758. Stack's Bowers, August 13, 2019, Lot 1142 - $6,000. Pastel toning in gold, blue, red, and lilac. |
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#2 PCGS PR68
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| #2 PCGS PR68 |
| #2 PCGS PR68 |
| #2 PCGS PR68 |
| #2 PCGS PR68 |
The 1879/8 Shield Nickel Proof
The 1879/8 Shield Nickel Proof (Base #3834) is a popular Guide Book overdate that actually encompasses two of the four 1879 Shield Nickel Proof die marriages, as identified by John W. Dannreuther in United States Proof Coins, Volume II: Nickel (2023). Of the two marriages, JD-1 (Obverse 1 with Reverse A) represents the overwhelming majority of all 1879 Proofs struck. The second overdate marriage, JD-4 (Obverse 1 with Reverse D), is rare, representing an estimated 5% of the total mintage.
While some have argued that the overdate is actually a repunched 9 or a result of a clogged die, the characteristics of an 8 punch are clearly visible under magnification.
Overdate Diagnostics: JD-1 (#102795) and JD-4 (#102804)
JD-1
Obverse:
- The 1: The left edge of the bottom serif of the 1 is positioned just to the right of the center of a denticle.
- Alignment: A vertical line extended upward from the left edge of this bottom serif aligns with the inside of the right diagonal stroke of the W in WE.
- The Ball: The top-left serif of the 1 nearly touches the ball of the shield.
- Rim: A denticle ridge is visible extending from the 6 o'clock toward the 7 o'clock position.
Reverse:
- Doubling: "Longacre Doubling" is present on several stars, specifically the star above the T in CENTS and the stars below AMERICA.
- The T: The letter T in CENTS features a thin, irregular top bar.
JD-4
Obverse: (Same as JD-1)
- The 1: The left edge of the bottom serif of the 1 is positioned just to the right of the center of a denticle.
- Alignment: A vertical line extended upward from the left edge of this bottom serif aligns with the inside of the right diagonal stroke of the W in WE.
- The Ball: The top-left serif of the 1 nearly touches the ball of the shield.
- Rim: A denticle ridge is visible extending from the 6 o'clock toward the 7 o'clock position.
Reverse:
- "Fishhook" S: Per Dannreuther: "...fishhook S of CENTS from doubled die hubbing of the normal hub and the defective 'Broken S' hub."
PCGS will attribute these varieties through our Variety Program.
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