NEWP - A Dream Coin Acquisition (For Me) - 1910 Proof Nickel - New Images and Comments Years Later

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FlyingAl
FlyingAl Posts: 4,468 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited December 27, 2025 12:07AM in U.S. Coin Forum

I recently was able to take some of the funds that I had left over from selling other parts of my collection that not longer fit in and also some older currency that had little to no premium (I sold the items that had a premium), and I wanted to consolidate it into a coin that I had wanted for some time and really liked. A proof Liberty Nickel was the obvious choice - it was within budget, I could get a nicer grade, and I really liked the design. With that said - I had a few guidelines.

1) The coin must be attractive for the grade - no obvious spotting or negative eye appeal.
2) The coin must have contrast on either the obverse or reverse, preferably both.
3) The coin must have some originality to it- I wanted a coin that appeared to be undipped, with some nicer color or even tone to it.
4) The coin must be reasonably priced.

I originally had my heart set on a nice 1883 No Cents example, but I realized that that date didn't quite offer what I was truly looking for - at least not within budget. I quickly branched out to include any date. This yielded more options - but I quickly narrowed down what I would say was a few thousand coins over time. I had been searching for an example for months, and hadn't found an example that I liked. I stumbled upon the piece I purchased after doing a deep dive of eBay the day I knew my budget (not quite sure how I had missed it before). It wasn't an impulse purchase in the way where you don't know what you were looking for, but it was an impulse purchase in the way of how is this coin still for sale?

Many coins had very attractive obverses, but the reverses were downright negative in eye appeal - often spotted and distracting, or they were blast white and were missing that element of originality I desired. Finally, as I was running out of dates to look at, this amazing 1910 popped out. It had everything, and I mean that. The originality pops in hand. Booming contrast, and no distractions.

After I purchased the coin, I went to GC and went through past sales of Liberty Nickels in proof. I didn't find a coin that I would buy over this one if it was offered to me. I'm glad I stuck to my guidelines and found this coin, as they say, buy the best you can afford. Well, without further ado, here's the coin, in a PCGS PR65 holder. A quick note - some light spots showed up under my two lamps that I use for photography, which allows for better pictures but in this case highlighted something that barely appears in hand. I knew where to look and I can barely see it with a loupe under my one light that I use.

Comments

  • P0CKETCHANGE
    P0CKETCHANGE Posts: 3,722 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That’s a fantastic example! I like it better than mine (also a 65). Congrats! Great reminder of the fruits of patience in this hobby.

    Nothing is as expensive as free money.

  • ChangeInHistory
    ChangeInHistory Posts: 3,121 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Solid choice and a good move consolidating into better material.

  • ricman
    ricman Posts: 313 ✭✭✭
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    Beautiful!

  • Eldorado9
    Eldorado9 Posts: 2,822 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great coin Buddy! Love the color, and the surfaces look really clean for grade. You know I'm a proof Barber guy, guess you are too now!!!!!

  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That's a really attractive coin my friend! Congratulations!!

    That's a neat year, because a Proof set (Silver, Nickel and Copper) is probably doable, and would make one heck of a group.


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

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  • Catbert
    Catbert Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very nice. So glad you consolidated resources to purchase a quality coin. Less is more!

    One quibble. I prefer to replace the common advice of "buy the best you can afford" to "buy the best that you understand". It appears you did just that!

    Seated Half Society member #38

    "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
    running like a water color in the rain...."
  • Steven59
    Steven59 Posts: 11,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That's a great looking proof V nick!

    "When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    You did very well.... great detail on that nickel. You will enjoy that coin for many years. Cheers, RickO

  • Kliao
    Kliao Posts: 5,802 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congrats on the pickup! Very nice example you found.

    Collector
    Over 100 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 57 members and counting!
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  • erwindoc
    erwindoc Posts: 5,447 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wonder what is keeping that coin from grading out as cameo?

  • Aspie_Rocco
    Aspie_Rocco Posts: 3,872 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Gorgeous nickel! Absolutely fantastic strike and color.

  • gumby1234
    gumby1234 Posts: 5,901 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Beautiful

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  • kaz
    kaz Posts: 9,378 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I think you made a great choice!

  • asheland
    asheland Posts: 24,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Excellent choice! Patience pays off!
    I too am looking for one and it’s gotta be a stunner or I’ll continue to wait.

  • golden
    golden Posts: 10,535 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very nice coin. Congrats.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice, there's nothing wrong here. I like

  • coinbuf
    coinbuf Posts: 12,567 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Good looking newp, congrats on the addition.

    My Lincoln Registry
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  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    My goodness, that is beautiful. That would be a collection masterpiece for most of us. Congratulations and what a great piece to add to your collection. You are flying away with it. :)
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

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  • SeattleSlammer
    SeattleSlammer Posts: 10,125 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    ⭐️👍🏻

  • littlebear
    littlebear Posts: 1,600 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Awesome!

    Autism Awareness: There is no limit to the good you can do, if you don't care who gets the credit.
  • DisneyFan
    DisneyFan Posts: 2,965 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congratulations on the "seal of good housekeeping."

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I love the toning/color scheme that goes with it

  • calgolddiver
    calgolddiver Posts: 1,803 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    spectacular coin !!!

    Top 15 Type Set 1792 to present

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  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That is a pretty example. I am surprised that you did end up with a 1909 Proof. That is the most common date in Proof. The cent and nickel came as a set from the mint. Collectors bought additional sets that year to get the three types of cents.

    Ironically the 1883 No Cents nickel in Proof is somewhat tough. That coin is very common in AU and low end Unc. because of hoarding. The Proofs were issued for part of the year and are tougher.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • Catbert
    Catbert Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Beautiful!

    Seated Half Society member #38

    "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
    running like a water color in the rain...."
  • Morgan13
    Morgan13 Posts: 2,691 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I really like the originality of this coin. It looks cam to me which is my favorite thing about what I collect. I think its important.
    Nice image as well.
    Keep up the good work!

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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  • P0CKETCHANGE
    P0CKETCHANGE Posts: 3,722 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great coin and looks cool in the OBH.

    Nothing is as expensive as free money.

  • Rittenhouse
    Rittenhouse Posts: 677 ✭✭✭✭
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    Very nice coin, not sure why PCGS did not CAM this. The rev is a little weak on contrast, but it still should have. The reason 1910 on PLNs look so nice is the mint switched to sandblasting the dies to get a more even etch.

    There is one very interesting variety for 1910 with heavy die polish below the ear.

    Dannreuther and I have called this the "Janitor Variety," a togue-in-cheek pun at the large cent "Office Boy Reverse," or the "There, I fixed It Variety" after the internet meme. I've seen 3 or 4 of these and some later state pieces with just a bit of the sanding remaining.

    There are several interesting varieties in the PLN series. I've attached our article which appeared in the BCCS journal.

  • coinhack
    coinhack Posts: 1,226 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That is a wonderful coin and great photography.

  • NHcycler
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    @erwindoc said:
    Wonder what is keeping that coin from grading out as cameo?

    I read in a description of a proof coin on Doug Winter’s site that the slabs with the “Series” numbers were produced before PCGS began using the cameo designations.

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