1882 5c PR CAM

Key to Collecting: As its high mintage suggests, the 1882 is plentiful in all grades today. Many Mint State coins exist, including into the MS-65 and 66 categories. Most such high-grade pieces are well struck and have excellent eye appeal. Proofs are plentiful as well and are usually of high quality.

Characteristics and Appearance: Slight weakness in the horizontal shield stripes is normal; otherwise, other areas are usually sharp. Many have the 2 in 1882 filled in (some of these have been incorrectly called overdates). Some coins are partially prooflike. Mint records indicate that in January 1883, for circulation-strike nickels of 1882, 507 obverse and 367 reverse dies were destroyed, and 18 reverses were held over for later use.39

Mintage and Distribution Notes: The January 1882 issue of Banker’s Magazine included this:

In February, the same magazine followed up with this:

The circulation-strike mintage of 11,472,900 and the destruction of 507 obverse dies after the end of the year indicate an average output of 22,629 coins per die. Although Mint records do not reflect this, some unused obverse dies were kept in service past 1882, and not destroyed, these being the several obverses used to create the 1883, 3 Over 2, overdates. Reverse dies destroyed amounted to 367, with 18 retained for later use.

Characteristics and Appearance: Usually well struck. Deep mirror surface is the rule, although some have a grainy, non-Proof surface on the reverse near the 5. One obverse die has a slight bulge at the denticles below the first 8 in the date. Another has 882 repunched south. Mint records indicate that in January 1883, for Proof nickels of 1882, two obverse dies and one reverse die were destroyed.40