Anybody know anything about proof 1966 Jeffersons?

MastaHanky

The Redbook says that two presentation pieces were given to the designer. Anybody know if they still exist? Has anybody seen them? If they were to surface, what kind of money do you suppose they'd fetch?

DHeath

PM Leo (the lyon). He said


have wondered if the two 1966 presentation pieces (and I believe these two are regular proof coins, the two rarest coins minted in the twentieth century) are DCAM. 7-8 years ago, I had hopes to
personally see them when I came across a dealer who had close ties to the Schlag family but to find out,
they didn't know the whereabouts of the two coins.

CarlWohlforth

I don't know anything about proof '66 Jeffersons!! So good old Felix Schlag had two. I would imagine they would be very expensive. I coudn't even guess. I'd pony up a few thou but that is probably chicken feed compared to what they are worth.

I never noticed the footnote in the Redbook before. The Breen enclycopedia also mentions the two pieces as being among the rarest Jeffersons. He states they are still in Schlag's possition, however Schlag died in '74.

I did see one of the presentation plaques given to Schlag for his winning design. This has an image of his original reverse. I'd like to have one of those; I believe there were 150 of those.

RGL

Felix had a good Art Deco thing going on the original design for the reverse before the Mint screwed it up ...

Conder101

They don't exist. Schlag was asked about them back before he died and he didn't recall them as being proofs and according to the mint, and I believe reports released at the time, Schlag was given the first wo Jefferson nickels struck bearing his initials. Being the first two coins struck they would be from brand new dies and probably well struck and prooflike. The prooflike qualities are probably why they were called "proofs" and the story of the proof 1966 nickels has carried on to today.

DHeath

Thanks Conder,

I wondered if there was a proof die set made for just this purpose. I thought it might be the SMS coin, but the timimg was wrong. Looks like they might have been "Goodacres".

CarlWohlforth

I looked this up in the "Nickel Analyst" last night and that agreed with Condor.

Felix Schlag realized he could get his initials added to the Jefferson. In 1966 the US Mint honored his request and added them. This is from Felix's writings.

A researcher mentioned in the NA looked into this question and found out that Felix was presented with the first 2 nickels produced from the dies with his initials added. So they were business strikes. This research was confirmed.

Too bad Felix didn't mount them on a plaque and sign them and get the sig notarized! These coins would have special meaning to any Jefferson collector so would still bring decent money if their provenance could be proven.

cladking

Most of the SMS dies were prepared as proof dies. The only thing
which prevents most of the coins struck by them from being proof is
that they were not struck twice and were not on polished planchets.

leothelyon

Great stuff! Gotta go to the dentist, more later.

Leo

leothelyon

<< <i>Great stuff! Gotta go to the dentist, more later.

Leo >>



Well, now my mouth hurts so please excuse my slurpy typing. lol

Don't have much to add.

Don and everyone,
Thanks for adding the info.

I think there is some mystery to the two Schlag pieces.

Carl
I know who has the number 1 plaque. Was obtained through a Bowers and Merena auction in the 90's.
Felix Schlag also assembled a few Jefferson sets. The number 1 set is still sealed by it's owner.

Leo