1873 Shield Nickel. Close 3. MS-66 (PCGS).Lovely champagne-apricot and, to a lesser extent, powder blue patina greets the viewer from both sides of this frosty and sharply struck Gem. This is one of the finest examples seen of this issue, and is topped by only a single MS-66+ in the PCGS Population Report. Clearly from the numbers seen today and long reported, the Close 3 is the scarcer date logotype of the circulation strike 1873 Shield nickel. This would make sense as the new dies with the Open 3 logotype were prepared in late January, so the Philadelphia Mint would have replaced the Close 3 obverse dies as soon as possible. Even so, enough Close 3 coins were struck to go around, almost most of todays collectors will have to settle for a coin that grades no finer than MS-65/65+. This premium quality coin is rare from a condition standpoint and well worth a premium.PCGS Population: 23; with a single MS-66+ finer.
