NNP

1868 5C Five Cents, Judd-630, Pollock-700, High R.7, PR65 NGC. Design. The obverse displays a Liberty head facing left, similar to the design on the regular-issue three cent piece, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around and the date 1868 below. The reverse exhibits a large V on an ornate shield, with IN GOD WE TRUST above. Struck in nickel with a plain edge. Commentary. The obverse design is similar to other patterns of the same date, but this variant has no star on Liberty's coronet. Curiously, Robert Coulton Davis misdescribed this issue in his seminal work on patterns, saying this design did have a star on the coronet. An early auction appearance was lot 231 of the Woodside Collection (New York Coin & Stamp, 4/1892): {blockquote}"1868 Five Cents: same obvs. without stars. R V on garnished shield, motto above: and smaller V in olive wreath, star and scroll above: nickel and copper: proofs: rare; 2 pcs."{/blockquote} The other pattern in the lot was an example of Judd-632. USPatterns.com estimates that fewer than a dozen specimens of Judd-630 are extant, but we think that may be a generous estimate. We can find only four auction records for Judd-630 over the last two decades, with the PR64 PCGS specimen in lot 2018 of the 68th Anniversary Sale (Stack's, 10/2003) realizing $6,440. NGC and PCGS have combined to certify a total of six coins between them, which may include resubmissions and crossovers, the finest being a single PR66 Cameo NGC specimen (3/13). Interestingly, the accompanying envelope indicates only two examples were known at the time of acquisition. Physical Description. The well-detailed design elements of this charming Gem show just a touch of softness on Liberty's curls. The brightly reflective surfaces display a few hints of champagne-gold toning, with a couple of minor contact marks in the obverse field. Visual appeal is quite strong. Census: 1 in 65, 0 finer (3/13). From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3962, realized $9987.50. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.