Top Pop - that is all there is that needs to be said - there are none finer. Further, with a population of just one in this coveted grade, neither is there an equal. If you are putting together a high-end collection of Proof Nickel Three Cent pieces, you need this coin! Or, imagine it as a centerpoint of your nineteenth century type set! Certainly this awesome coin will catch the eye of those collectors around the world searching for the finest to add to their cabinet. Struck during the first few years of issue for this type it was produced in large numbers for circulation, but with relatively few Proof pieces ordered by collectors. As the Nickel Three Cent piece lost favor with the general population (probably because of its similarity in size and color to the dime), it gradually fell into disuse, demand dropped, and fewer and fewer were made. During the first year of issue for the type, 1865, over eleven million were struck, but that yearly production total gradually dropped to the low millions, then the hundreds of thousands, then even lower, bottoming out in 1885 with an issue of just 1,000 circulation strikes. Interestingly, as the production of circulation strikes dropped, the demand for proofs increased. From 500 or so in 1865, the production of proofs gradually increased to several thousand each year - 1883 being the high-water mark with a record mintage of 6,609. In several of the final years, there were actually more proofs ordered by collectors than there were coins made for circulation!<br />The glorious example offered today is from that early period when the proofs were actually rare in comparison to the circulation strikes, with 600 or so proofs made (mint records for this issue are incomplete, not allowing for an exact count), while 1,604,000 pieces were made for circulation. Be sure to note the flawless surfaces, the bold strike, and the magnificent definition between the mirror-like fields and the frosted devices, then consider the rarity, and bid appropriately. Once this coin has sold, the opportunity to add this condition rarity to your collection will not be repeated. ,,PCGS# 93765. NGC ID: 275P.,PCGS Population: 1; not a single coin finer. ,
