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Lot Title:
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Set of Proof 3-Cent Nickels. PCGS.
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Description:
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As part of our ongoing effort and commitment to bringing truly fresh material to the market, Scotsman Auction Company is fortunate and honored to now present for your consideration a complete date run of Three Cent Nickels, almost entirely in Proof format (two coins are business strikes). Except for the 1865, these coins have only ever been certified once, more than a decade ago, and have remained together as part of our consignor’s beloved collection of odd-denomination coins, until now.
Let us begin with a brief discussion of the slabs themselves in order to put the time frame of the certification of these coins into proper perspective. Although the labels appear to have a chartreuse color, they are in fact early versions of what are referred to as “old green-label holders (OGH),” used by PCGS from 1990 through 1995. According to Mike Schmidt, a slab variety researcher, the green color on the labels was unstable, and many examples became more and more yellow in appearance over time. Most collectors believe this was an era when PCGS graded coins even more conservatively than they do today, and the character of this collection undoubtedly supports that thesis.
The set was meticulously and progressively assembled through the 1980s and early 1990s by our consignor and originally stored in a Dansco album where the coins remained for years, acquiring natural tone and lovely patination. He took great pains to avoid slidemarks or other problems, and the coins were always stored in a proper environment. His intent was always to concentrate on Proof coins, but the 1880 remained a business strike for one special reason: it was the first BU three-cent nickel he ever owned.
1865 MS-65, SN: 3731.65/50022176, 1866 PR-64, SN: 3762.64/4038697, 1867 PR-66, SN: 3763.66/4038698, 1868 PR-65, SN: 3764.65/4038699, 1869 PR-65, SN: 3765.65/4038700, 1870 PR-65, SN: 3766.65/4038701, 1871 PR-64, SN: 3767.64/4038702, 1872 PR-65, SN: 3768.65/4038703, 1873 PR-64, SN: 3769.64/4038704, 1874 PR-65, SN: 3770.65/4038705, 1875 PR-64, SN: 3771.64/4038706, 1876 PR-64, SN: 3772.64/4038707, 1877 PR-64, SN: 3748.65/4038708, 1878 PR-66, SN: 3774.66/4038709, 1879 PR-64, SN: 3775.64/4038710, 1880 MS-65, SN: 3776.65/4038711, 1881 PR-66, SN: 3777.66/4038712, 1882 PR-64, SN: 3778.64/4038713, 1883 PR-64, SN: 3779.64/4038714, 1884 PR-65, SN: 3780.65/4038715, 1885 PR-61, SN: 3781.61/4038716, 1886 PR-64, SN: 3782.64/4038717, 1887 PR-64, SN: 3783.64/4038718, 1887/6 PR-63, SN: 3784.63/4038719, 1888 PR-65, SN: 3785.65/4038720, 1889 PR-65, SN: 3786.65/4038721.
The time came when the consignor elected to have the coins certified for further protection, hence the holders in which they are now stored. They were sent to PCGS for certification as one single submission, as verified by the consecutive serial numbers. Potential bidders must remember that this was the era before the use of such grade modifiers as Cameo and Deep Cameo. Clearly, many of the subject coins qualify today for CAM or DCAM consideration. It should also be apparent that there is substantial upgrade potential here should the new owner be willing to remove the coins from their current holders, but profit motive aside, there is enormous appeal in viewing this collection as a comprehensive set. Finally, one should recognize the consignor's remarkable acumen in that ALL of the coins were graded, with none rejected.
The consignor retained one coin for nostalgic reasons--the 1865 Proof--and replaced it with the business-strike coin seen here. Other than that, you are afforded to buy the set as it was always intended to be: complete and original.
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Low Estimate:
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$17,500.00 |
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High Estimate:
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$20,000.00 |
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Lot Status:
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Bidding has been closed for this lot. |
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Hammered Price: |
$19,000.00
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Price Realized:
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$21,850.00 |
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