1866 Proof Nickel Pattern - J-501

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,600 PR 06-08-1994 Stack's

Description

Entering the J-500s, the Shield Nickel alloy program ventures into its most experimental phase. The compositions tested at this stage include some of the most unusual metallic formulations evaluated for American coinage, including alloys with significant tin, lead, or zinc content alongside the nickel and copper that formed the basis of most earlier tests. These exotic formulations, while unlikely candidates for adoption, provided valuable comparative data about the relationship between alloy composition and coin performance. For numismatic historians, J-501 and its companions in the J-500 sequence represent the outer boundaries of 1860s coinage metallurgy.

Rarity Notes

R.6 to R.7. Approximately 10-15 examples survive.

Cross References

Pollock-3569