1866 5C J-509, BN PR64BN Certification #37458364, PCGS #60705

Ron Guth

Judd-509 is considered a "transitional" issue because it bridges the change from the With Rays Nickels of 1866 to the No Rays Nickel of 1867.  However, since the change took place in 1867, it is highly likely that this was made sometime in 1867 (or later) for sale specifically to collectors.  Support for this theory comes from the fact that the reverse of Judd-509 was also used on 1867 Judd-573 and on a very few regular-issue Proofs. 

There is a tendency to lump Judd-508 and Judd-509 together because of their similar compositions.  The former is copper while the latter is bronze.  Because toing can change the appearance of both, it is important to run metallurgical tests on the coins to determine their proper category.