1867 5C Rays PR66 Cameo PCGS. CAC....

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1867 With Rays Shield Nickel, PR66 Cameo
Incredibly Rare Original Striking, Dannreuther-1

1867 5C Rays PR66 Cameo PCGS. CAC. Original. Obverse 1, Die State I; Reverse A, Die State I. Research by John Dannreuther suggests that proof 1867 Rays Shield nickels were struck in 1867 and restruck on numerous occasions, and that they were struck from three obverse dies used with a common reverse that was repeatedly relapped. The present coin has all the characteristics that Dannreuther outlines for his obverse Die State I, including:

--The left base of the 1 in the date is over the right edge of a dentil.
--The 7 is recut.
--The lower shield is clear, with no roughness or evidence of die polishing.
--The highest leaf below RU in TRUST is fully detached from the shield.
--There is a clear area below the right arrow shaft, directly behind the arrowhead.
--The upper left top of the shield to the nearest leaf shows tiny die polish lines.
--A die line through the seventh horizontal stripe (from the top) angles down through several more stripes, and a curly die line from the 10th stripes runs down through the left side of the shield, ending in the circle.
--The inner left bar of W in WE is strong.
--The inner right berries are recut, with a tiny polish line from the lower berry to the nearby leaf.
--The lower right part of the left arrow feather is detached.

The reverse shows a slightly weak center ray below the second T of STATES, with the dentils slightly weak and attenuated from 3 to 5 o'clock -- characteristics of Dannreuther's Reverse A, State I. The dating makes the 1867 With Rays proofs clandestine strikings, and they are far, far rarer than the 1866 With Rays proofs, perhaps by a factor of eight to one. (The Guide Book estimate is "25+," although that figure seems a bit low, counting probable restrikes.) The present example shows untoned, extremely brilliant surfaces with just the slightest suggestion of champagne patina in the centers of each side. The dentilation on the obverse from 2:30 to 5 o'clock is incomplete. Unlike the 1866 Rays coins, there is no center dot on either side. Every leaf, every shield stripe, every star is meticulously struck and boldly detailed. The frosty devices are nearly deserving of a Deep Cameo designation. Population: 8 in 66 Cameo, 0 finer. CAC: 2 in 66, 0 finer (3/17).(Registry values: P6)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 276H, PCGS# 83818, GSID# 2896)

Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Weight: 5.00 grams
Weight: 0.13228oz

View Certification Details from PCGS