Proof 65 copper nickel cents.....

bidask

The mintage on this short series is :

1860 ...1000

1861....1000

1862.....550

1863.....460

1864......370

Of these the 1861 is by far the scarcest, according to coinfacts. The other 4 dates are bunched together in price when looking at the Pr 65 cam price guide.

Why is this since the mintage is much less on the 1864 for example? Is it because more specimans are around of the other dates compared to 1861?

abitofthisabitofthat

I would say that is has quite a lot to do with production quality. Although more 61s were minted than 64s, there would be many more gem 64s on the market, especially in cameo. The quality of the 1861s was abysmal. Mirrors are usually shallow, strike can be indifferent, rarely with true cameo contrast. When found, they are usually dull and lifeless. The 1864 on the other hand was well made. Most examples, when found, are quite attractive. Good mirrors, some cameos. They are pretty coins.

If you are looking for an 1864 PR65CAM that is nice for the grade, it will take a while but you will probably be pleased with the coin you find. If you are looking for the 1861 PR65CAM that is nice for the grade, you may never find it. If you do, pay what you need to get it, as you may never see another.

Edited to add thoughts on mintage figures - the 1,000 mintage for the 1860 and 1861 was gross, and it is believed that hundereds of each were melted. Walter Breen (trustworthy source?) lists the 1860 as net mintage of 542, and the 1861 as under 400.

Chris