1882 Proof Nickel Pattern - J-1687

Coin Details

Auction Record

$5,750 PR66 07-23-2010 Scotsman

Description

Thirteenth variety in the 1882 nickel pattern competition, continuing the relentless design refinement that would yield the Liberty Head Nickel. This pattern tests another specific configuration of design elements, whether in the treatment of Liberty's portrait, the arrangement of legends, or the details of the wreath and denomination. The 1882 patterns collectively document one of the most thoroughly recorded design development processes in American numismatic history, surpassed in scope only by the 1870 Standard Silver pattern series and the 1942 wartime cent experiments. Each variety exists in very limited numbers, as these were struck exclusively in proof format for official evaluation rather than circulation. The progressive nature of the series — from the relatively simple 1881 patterns through the increasingly refined 1882 varieties to the near-final 1882 designs — allows numismatists to trace the entire creative arc of one of America's most recognizable coin designs.

Rarity Notes

R-6 to R-7 (Very Rare to Extremely Rare). Estimated 8-12 specimens surviving.

Cross References

Judd J-1687, Pollock P-1889