1889 5C MS(PCGS#3850)

December 2025 Showcase Auction - The James A. Stack, Sr. Collection Part I

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

22037

Grade

MS66

Price

1,440

Lot Description

A dusting of sandy-gold patina adorns the obverse, the reverse lighter with only faint traces of similar color to a base of silver gray. Satiny surfaces are fully lustrous with swirling cartwheel visual effects visible as the coin rotates under lighting. The strike is impressively sharp for a circulation strike nickel of this design type with even the detail in the obverse star centrils and lower left portion of the wreath on the reverse complete. This is a plentiful issue in an absolute sense - a generous total of 15,878,025 circulation strikes were produced - but quality is a challenge with most Mint State survivors poorly struck and/or with lackluster surfaces. This CAC-approved upper end Gem is a noteworthy departure from the norm and will catch the eye as astute bidders.