1866 Proof Nickel Pattern - J-507
Strike Type
Coin Details
Auction Record
$6,038 GEM PR 05-01-2006 Stack's
Description
J-507 represents one of the penultimate alloy tests in the core Shield Nickel composition series that began with J-473. The program's thoroughness is all the more impressive when one considers the limited analytical tools available to Mint metallurgists in 1866 — without modern spectroscopy or electron microscopy, evaluation relied on visual inspection, simple chemical analysis, and practical striking tests. Despite these limitations, the Mint successfully identified an alloy that would serve American coinage for over a century: the 75/25 copper-nickel blend chosen for the 1866 nickel is essentially the same composition used for modern American nickels, a testament to the quality of the original research.
Rarity Notes
R.6 to R.7. Approximately 10-15 examples known.
Cross References
Pollock-3575
External References
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