1883 5c No Cents, RPD, FS-1301 MS

Key to Collecting: This historical and fascinating variety was saved in quantity at the time of issue. Today, examples are common in all Mint State grade levels. Striking sharpness can vary considerably. Many have die cracks and other interesting features. There are enough around for just about everyone interested. Such a coin is a fascinating addition to any collection, for few issues have more remarkable stories. Several youngsters who later become prominent professional numismatists, Farran Zerbe and Arthur M. Kagin among them, became interested in coin collecting after obtaining one of these curious nickels.

Characteristics and Appearance: The dies were not widely studied until the 1960’s. Of the 630 obverse dies used to coin both types of 1883 Liberty Head nickel, an estimated 200 or more were used exclusively for this issue. Some 242 reverse dies, all of Reverse Style B, are known to have been made. So many die pairs were used that no one rule can fit all. The striking of details ranges from weak to sharp, but is usually above average, with full stars and with decent details on the reverse, but with some lightness on the corn. The luster is usually satiny, sometimes slightly prooflike, but not often deeply frosty. Die cracks are very common on this issue; some are so extensive it seems surprising that the dies held together. This letter from Herman K. Crofoot, published in the July 1956 issue of The Numismatist, reflects this:

Of those 630 obverse dies, probably not all were used. If all were employed for the combined coinage of 21,500,000 for both types, that would indicate a life of about 34,000 impressions per die. Most dies were probably retired due to cracking, not wear.

Mintage and Distribution Notes: As discussed in the narrative above, this issue was eagerly snapped up by the public and was saved in quantity.

Characteristics and Appearance: Proofs are usually well struck and with good contrast.

Mintage and Distribution Notes: Reverse Style A (with repunched S in PLURI- BUS; rare) and Reverse Style B (usually seen). By March 31, Proof production amounted to 3,519 coins, reflecting the tremendous demand for this curious variety. By June 30, an additional 1,700 were delivered. This accounts for the figure of 5,219 commonly quoted, as here. R.W. Julian, in “Notes on U.S. Proof Coinage” (1966), cites 2,850 With CENTS Proofs delivered on June 26, with 1,000 more on October 11, and a further 2,993 by December 31. These figures are somewhat confusing as they indicate a great demand for the With CENTS, a sentiment that seems unlikely and is questioned by Breen in his Proof coins encyclopedia. It would seem reasonable to me that much of the With CENTS mintage quantity should be moved to the Without CENTS, an action that seems to be verified by market appearances and certification data. Likely, collector demand for Without CENTS Proofs lasted throughout the year, and orders for such coins were filled. Breen states that at least seven Proof obverse dies were used, indicating a large coinage. This includes varieties with the 1 close to the neck and distant from the denticles, another with the 1 close to the denticles, and several with the digit about centered. In any event, for a time in 1883 the Mint contin- ued to strike and sell all three designs of nickels of the year, the Shield and both types of the Liberty Head.1

Repunched Date—FS-1301. As described in the Fivaz-Stanton book, Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties, the lower left serif of the 1 in the date extends outward from the lower left side of the first 8. URS-4.