1879/8 5C PR67 Certification #49772826, PCGS #3834

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

CAC

Expert Comments

Charles Morgan

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.

* * *

PCGS #

3834

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Plain

Diameter

20.50 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

3200

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

505

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	1000	R-5.0	12 / 18 TIE	14 / 20 TIE
All Grades	950	R-5.1	11 / 18 TIE	13 / 20 TIE
60 or Better	500	R-6.0	13 / 18	15 / 20

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	1000
All Grades	950
60 or Better	500

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-5.0
All Grades	R-5.1
60 or Better	R-6.0

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	12 / 18 TIE
All Grades	11 / 18 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 18

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	14 / 20 TIE
All Grades	13 / 20 TIE
60 or Better	15 / 20

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
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.
2	PCGS PR68
2	PCGS PR68

#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.

#2 PCGS PR68