1866 Proof Nickel Pattern - J-533

Coin Details

Description

The final entry in the 1866 Shield Nickel alloy testing program, J-533 concludes a series that began sixty varieties earlier with J-473 and the adopted copper-nickel design. This terminal pattern marks the end of the most extensive single-denomination alloy study in American Mint history — a comprehensive evaluation that tested over sixty metallic formulations on a single die pair. The culmination of this program gave the Mint complete confidence in the 75/25 copper-nickel specification that would serve the five-cent denomination for the next century and beyond. J-533 thus represents both a conclusion and a beginning: the end of an experimental chapter and the start of the Shield Nickel's long commercial career.

Rarity Notes

R.7 to R.8. Approximately 3-8 examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-3601