1887 Proof Nickel Three Cent Piece - 7/6 Strong

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Description

This is the 1887/6 overdate variety of the 1887 Proof Nickel Three Cent Piece. Dies were expensive, and a serviceable die left over at the end of a year was often kept and re-dated rather than destroyed: the new digits were punched directly over the old ones. The earlier date survives underneath wherever its strokes fall outside the digits punched over it, which is why an overdate is read from the shapes that do not belong to the date as printed. The effect is in the die, so every coin struck from it carries the same remnant in the same position. The 1887 Proof Nickel Three Cent Piece - 7/6 Strong is a proof three-cent nickel piece struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Nickel Three Cent Pieces 1865-1889 series. The Philadelphia Mint struck 2,960 proof three-cent nickel pieces dated 1887 in all; how many show the strong overdate is not recorded. The obverse features Liberty facing left with a coronet inscribed LIBERTY and the reverse displays a Roman numeral III within a wreath. Struck during the Gilded Age of rapid industrialization and the great silver debates, when monetary policy shaped elections and economic destiny. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements. Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 1.94 grams, 17.9 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #3784.