NNP

1871 5C Five Cents, Judd-1056, Pollock-1191, R.7, PR65 Red and Brown NGC. CAC. Design. Regular dies trial for the 1871 Shield nickel, struck in copper with a plain edge. Commentary. According to USPatterns.com, "Although described as a regular dies trial piece, these were actually struck for sale to collectors as part of complete sets." Undoubtedly that is the case, but it must be noted that there were precious few complete sets that could have been assembled of this date. The Shield nickel is obviously a weak link as only half a dozen copper strikings are believed known, fewer than three in aluminum, and a single piece allegedly produced in steel. Physical Description. The surfaces retain much original mint red, especially on the obverse. The reverse shows some browning in the fields. The strike is complete throughout, and the only identifying marks are a few tiny planchet flakes over the 5 in the denomination. This is a premium Condition Census example. Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $35; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3992, realized $7637.50. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.