1883 Pattern Liberty Head Nickel. JR-1704, Pollock-1908. Rarity-6-. Nickel. Plain Edge. Proof-68 Ultra Cameo (NGC).Obv: The usual Liberty Head motif by Charles E. Barber adopted for regular issue nickel five-cent coinage in 1883, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA instead of 13 stars, with the date below. Rev: An open agricultural wreath within which is the inscription PURE / NICKEL. The denomination is divided FIVE above and CENTS below, with 13 stars around the border arranged seven left, six right. This is a fully untoned, virtually pristine example with a full strike and stark field to device contrast. It would be difficult to envision a finer specimen.These curious patterns were struck in "pure nickel" as stated on the reverse, although others were struck in aluminum. Pure nickel is actually magnetic, lightly so, but enough to detect. Of course planchets made of pure nickel without some softer alloy would have been an extremely hard metal and difficult to strike up fully. Given these facts these pattern pieces were either produced on a very large coining press, or were struck using increased pressure and/or multiple impressions so as to fully bring up all elements of the design. Perhaps 25 to 30 of these survive, this one of the two finest seen by NGC in any category.
