1884 5C J-1725 PR(PCGS#62155)

1884 5C J-1725 PR (PCGS#62155)

The June 2013 Baltimore Auction

Losbeschreibung: 1884 Pattern Annular, or Ring-Form Five-Cent Piece. Judd-1725, Pollock-1935. Rarity-7-. Aluminum. Plain Edge. Proof-65 (PCGS). Obv: this is the design by Eastman Johnson which includes in large letters surrounding most of the coin UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the date 1884 below. Beneath these letters and digits are thirteen stars, at the center is an eight sided scalloped perforation. Rev: is simple yet elegant with FIVE above and CENTS below, flanked by two stylized shields. Free of any tin pesting or specks, with the surfaces retaining both their glassy reflectivity in the fields and frosted devices. One of perhaps nine to twelve known and this certainly a finer than average example. These are known as the "holey" design because of the central perforation. Similar "holey" cent patterns were also struck in this year and have remained popular with collectors since their introduction. From a production standpoint, it is quit difficult to perforate a planchet for striking as it adds an additional step, plus the striking process often distends the central border of the perforation and can make it appear irregular. Thus, the adaption of perforated planchets for regular production coinage has always been an uphill battle--at least here.