1883 Proof Nickel Pattern - J-1719a

Coin Details

Description

A proof striking of the J-1719 die combination on an alternate-composition planchet, this pattern extends the "With CENTS" correction series into additional metals. The suffix designation indicates that J-1719a shares the same obverse and reverse die pairing as J-1719 but differs in planchet composition, copper or aluminum rather than the standard nickel. This off-metal proof provides a complementary perspective on the corrected reverse design, as the different metal produces distinct surface characteristics — different reflectivity in the fields, different frost texture on the devices, and a different overall tonal quality that can reveal design details obscured on the harder nickel planchets. The "With CENTS" patterns document one of the most dramatic mid-production design changes in American coinage history, where public fraud forced the Mint to acknowledge a design flaw and implement a correction within a single calendar year. The existence of proof specimens in multiple compositions confirms that these patterns were struck deliberately for evaluation and numismatic distribution rather than produced hastily as emergency corrections.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8 (Very Rare to Extremely Rare). approximately 4-8 examples survive. Suffix variants in the "With CENTS" series are among the rarest 1883 patterns.

Cross References

Judd J-1719a, Pollock P-1925