1866 Proof Nickel Pattern - J-517
Strike Type
Coin Details
Auction Record
$15,600 PR65BN 08-22-2021 Heritage Auctions
Description
This pattern occupies a position in the extended Shield Nickel experimental series where the boundary between practical alloy testing and speculative experimentation blurs. J-517 may test a metal or alloy that no responsible Mint official would have selected for mass production but that provided useful data about the Shield design's behavior under unusual conditions. The proof format, ironically, makes even the most impractical compositions look attractive — polished dies and careful striking produce beautiful specimens regardless of the base metal, giving these exotica a visual appeal that belies their experimental nature.
Rarity Notes
R.7. Approximately 5-12 examples known.
Cross References
Pollock-3585
External References
Error Varieties
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