1866 Proof Nickel Pattern - J-488a

Coin Details

Description

The "a" suffix variant of J-488, this piece was struck from the same dies but in a different alloy or with a modified edge treatment. The existence of "a" variants throughout the 1866 nickel series illustrates the Mint's practice of sometimes returning to a particular die pair to test an additional composition that had been overlooked or that became available after the initial sequence was struck. These subsidiary variants are typically produced in smaller numbers than the primary striking, making them scarcer among an already scarce series. The "a" variants are essential companions to their parent numbers, documenting alloy experiments that the primary numbering sequence alone would not fully capture.

Rarity Notes

R.7. Approximately 5-10 examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-3556