1881 Proof Nickel Pattern - J-1674a

Coin Details

Description

Composition or die variant of J-1674, the letter suffix indicating a different metal or die state from the base Judd number. This variant was struck in an alternative alloy such as copper or aluminum to test how the design would appear on different planchet materials, or it may represent a different die pairing producing subtly different design details. The practice of striking pattern coins in multiple metals was standard at the Philadelphia Mint, allowing officials to evaluate visual appearance, strike quality, and wear characteristics across compositions. The existence of this variant confirms that the Mint's 1881 nickel pattern testing program was thorough, extending beyond the primary copper-nickel composition to explore alternatives. The obverse and reverse designs follow the same Liberty Head and wreath-and-V format as the other 1881 nickel patterns, maintaining the design continuity that Snowden's directive demanded.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8 (Extremely Rare). Letter-suffix variants are typically rarer than their base counterparts, with fewer than 5-8 specimens estimated.

Cross References

Judd J-1674a, Pollock P-1875a