1866 Pattern Washington Five Cents. Judd-479, Pollock-569. Rarity-8. White Metal. Plain Edge. Proof-63 (PCGS).strongObv: /strongbust of Washington right, IN GOD WE TRUST arcs above, date below.pstrongRev: /strongthe regular nickel die reverse, without rays, as adopted in 1867.pFlashes of original bright silver at the peripheries remain on this largely dark gray patinated piece. No collar was used in the production of this specimen, done outside of the Mint, and it resembles a splasher in appearance, though the planchet stock used is notably thicker. Several cracks and splits are also noted in the planchet, though they do not interfere with the design. USpatterns.com expounds on the interesting story regarding these pieces, and states in part "Although these coins are struck from genuine United States Mint dies, they are not Mint products, but rather fantasy patterns produced by individuals outside the Mint." The dies sold as scrap metal were purchased by Joseph Mickley. Many of these "pattern" coins ended up in the Crosby collection, but is unknown for certain who the minter was. George Fuld wrote an excellent comprehensive article on the subject in the May 1998 edition of emThe Numismatist/em that we would thoroughly recommend reading to interested parties. In any case, these pieces enjoy a long history of being collected alongside actual patterns produced by the United States Mint and we expect this piece will be eagerly pursued.ppEx Fuld; Picker; Kosoff; Crouch, lot 190; Steve Ivys sale of August 1980, lot 754.
