1884 Proof Nickel Pattern - J-1726

Coin Details

Description

The third five-cent pattern variety of 1884, J-1726 continues the exploration of the ring nickel concept in yet another metallic composition. This variant provides additional data points in the Mint's systematic evaluation of how the annular format performs across different planchet materials, with each composition affecting the coin's weight, color, striking characteristics, and potential durability in circulation. Chief Engraver Charles Barber's willingness to produce multiple compositional variants of the same basic design reflects the methodical approach to experimentation that characterized his long tenure as the Mint's principal die engraver. The 1884 holey nickel patterns occupy a unique position in American numismatic history as the most visible legacy of Eastman Johnson's engagement with coinage design. Johnson was one of the most prominent American artists of the nineteenth century, and his interest in the practical aesthetics of coinage demonstrates the broader cultural attention paid to coin design during this period. The Commission of Fine Arts, which would later oversee coin design, did not yet exist, making Johnson's informal proposal one of the few documented instances of a major American artist contributing to coinage discussions outside official channels.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Approximately 5-10 examples estimated. Among the scarcer of the 1884 ring nickel varieties.

Cross References

Judd J-1726, Pollock P-1936