NNP

1883 5C Liberty Head Five Cents, Judd-1709, Pollock-1913, R.7, PR66 NGC. CAC. Design. Charles Barber's head of Liberty faces left, the date below, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the margin. The reverse indicates the use of experimental dies with 75 N./25 C. in the center, surrounded by a wreath of cotton and corn, FIVE CENTS appears at the top and bottom margins with seven stars left and six right. Struck in aluminum with a plain edge. Commentary. Many similar five cent patterns of 1883 were issued, the reverse inscription alluded to various compositions that were being tested at the time. The compositions ranged from pure nickel, to as low as 33% nickel. Others were 50% nickel and 75% nickel, the balance in each case being copper. Most of those varieties were also coined in aluminum, as offered here. Only three examples of this variety have been certified at NGC, including this Premium Gem specimen from the Newman collection and another graded PR66 Cameo. Physical Description. This sharply defined Premium Gem has brilliant light gray surfaces with fully mirrored fields and lustrous devices. Light field-to-device contrast is noted on this borderline cameo 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 @ $20; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4039, realized $8812.50. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.