1900 5c PR CAM

Key to Collecting: In this year the Mint continued in overdrive, with all the demand to use nickels for goods, services, and amusement. The story of quality continues to be unpleasant: most were made in a careless manner and often show light striking, granular fields, or other problems. In particular, granular and pebbly fields are unappealing to specialists, but this characteristic is hardly ever mentioned in print and is not noted on certified holders, so most buyers are unaware of the difference.

Proofs are somewhat scarce, as the mintage suggests, but are usually attractive when found.

Characteristics and Appearance: Striking ranges from Full Details to pieces with flat stars and reverse details. Some are from grainy-surfaced dies that should have been retired. Cherrypicking is the order of the day if you are at all particular. There were 125 obverse dies made.

Characteristics and Appearance: Striking varies, and some were sloppily made— with weakness at the stars and in the hair of Liberty (obverse), and at the ear of corn to the left of the ribbon bow (reverse).