1899 5c Repunched Date, FS-301 MS

Key to Collecting: The 1899 nickel is plentiful in just about any grade desired. Most pieces, however, were struck without care, and often from worn dies, placing quality coins in the minority. Proofs are scarce in comparison to those dating from the heady dates of the numismatic hobby in the 1880’s.

Characteristics and Appearance: The same story: this is a plentiful date, but the majority of coins will not please the connoisseur. Take your time. In all, 119 obverse dies were used.

is a curved remnant or artifact, positioned too low to be an earlier 8, although Walter Breen calls it such and attaches no. 2564 to it in his 1988 Encyclopedia. Kenneth E. Bressett, editor of the Guide Book, dismisses it as simply a repunched 1899, as do I and the NGC and PCGS grading services. In their excellent work, Complete Guide to Shield and Liberty Head Nickels, Gloria Peters and Cynthia Mohon are skeptical: “It even looks as if it could be a 9 first punched very low. . . .” However, ANACS has certified some as overdates, following the Breen listing. Fivaz-Stanton list it as FS-301, “repunched date,” with a note that it was formerly designated an overdate. Flynn lists it as 1899 RPD-005.