Walter Breen
1873
There is more information available about the proofs of this year than about most others of the period; for much of it I have to thank Harry X. Boosel, who has made a special study of this date.
Cent. Closed 3 only. [1100+] On closed 3 coins save for the silver dollar and double eagle, knobs are large and nearly touch. Some of these, presumably the earlier ones, have the reverse die of 1872, above mentioned: some with this rev. have extra outlines on UNITE AMERICA, no other letters; polish around eye. I have never heard of an open 3 proof cent and find it singular that despite the formal complaint addressed by Coiner A. Loudon Snowden to the Director, James Pollock, Jan. 18, 1873, there was no open 3 cent die polished for making the later proof sets. Pure copper impressions have weighed 501;4 grains, compared to 48 (standard) for bronze. One other weighed 44 grains - LM 9/67: 528.
*Two Cents. Originals. Closed 3. [600+] Reverse die is identical to that on some 1872 proofs, horizontal die scratch from leaf left of middle of large 2. Original status of these coins is confirmed by their appearance in proof sets of the year traceable back to 1873, such as ANS's (obtained by R.C.W. Brock in 1873), or that in the Smithsonian obtained from the Coiner on Feb. 11, 1873. The cased double set containing coins without and with arrows, presented to Charles A. Whitney (see below) by Mint officials and accompanied by a ________ document dated Sept. 30, 1874 signed by eight of them, also contains only the closed 3 2¢.
For the very rare open 3 coins, see Restrikes and Fantasy Pieces.
It is probable that some of the unsold originals were melted after April 1, 1873 when the new Coinage Act became effective, abolishing the denomination and changing weights of silver coins.
Three Cents Nickel. Closed 3 only. [1100+] Polish near eye. Scattered striae between NIT and chin. Many fragmented leaves; isolated leaf tip within wreath at 11 :00. Same comment as to the cent. R. W. Julian turned up a reference to 100 "nickel" proof sets being issued on Oct. 23, 1873, but this is the same date as the issue of 100 silver sets so the presumption is that they were concurrently delivered, as heretofore. Note that many nickel 3¢ were carelessly struck on granular flans similar to those of 1871, though not so many as in 1871. Confirming Snowden's fear, specimens have occasionally been mistakenly offered as "1878."
Five Cents Nickel. Closed 3 only. [1100+] *Usually, with arrowhead, feather and leaves at left all partly attenuated - lapped die. Same comment as to the 3¢ piece for quality. Many deceptive early business strikes masquerade as proofs, but they are from different dies from the above. Occasionally, specimens have been offered as "1878", but the true 1878 coins have larger dates, both 8's alike.
Minor sets. One was in the A. M. Smith estate; many others formerly existed but have been long since broken up, on behalf of collectors wanting the 2¢.
*Trime. [600] Closed 3. Only the one variety seen to date. Die file marks southwest of OF; curved lines through STATES 0 F, straight defect in round recess at 10: 00, later lapped away with contents of all upper recesses. This last die state shows rust marks, and is very rare; 1973 GENA: 204. Included with the no arrows proof sets (see below). Hoarders long since got to the issue; veteran Mint publicist A. M. Smith had at least 300 of them. Many survivors are richly toned, and some of these rainbow coins bring high premiums over the more often seen brilliant white (dipped) examples. Many melted July 10, 1873. No hint of restrikes.
Half Dime. [600] Closed 3 only. Which of the varieties came first is uncertain, but might be decided by checking the coin in the SI set. Its Feb. 11 acquisition date suggests that it was from the initial delivery of 100 sets, Jan. 18, 1873.
V-1. Date about centered, 3 well above border.
Shield point about over tip of serif of 1, skirt pendant minutely left of center of top of 7, left base of 1 left of center of denticle, small die defects above date -one of them joining 7 to base. Rev.: Ribbon ends touch. Bullowa, May 1952; rarer than V-2.
- New. Low date, like V-I but pendant r. of center of 7, left base of lover space. Rev.: V-1. Very rare. Merkin 10/66: 241, 9/68: 221, J.R.: 9/67:280.
- Obv. V-2 (below), rev. V-1. Rarer than either V-1 or V-2. Merkin 3/68: 236.
- V-2. Date low, 1 and 3 much nearer to border than to base; shield point just to left of 1, skirt pendant just r. of serif of 7, left base of 1 above r. part of denticle, r. ribbon end barely clear. ANS (2), and ct. Neil: 1699 and 1700, the latter perhaps a heavier impression (or is the former from repolished dies? date less heavy).
The half dime in the double set presented to Charles A. Whitney was described as "one of the last made", but the illustration is so poor as to render doubtful the variety. (It does look much more like V-2 obv. than like V-1.)Many were melted July 10, 1873.
Dime. Without Arrows. Closed 3. [600] *Breen 1-1. Pendant over left serif of 7, left base of lover left edge. Available for a price, and still undervalued in comparison with the coin with arrows because collectors of type coins -and some hoarders -have made increased demand for the latter. Some melted July 10, 1873.
-With Arrows. [800] Open 3 only. Harry Boosel has given the above mintage figure, based on documentary evidence seen by him but not available to me or to R. W. Julian. Julian found evidence of striking of 100 proof sets (coins with arrows and trade dollars, together with presumably the minor sets) apiece on July 31, August 11, September 19, October 23, then 50 apiece on December 12 and 24. This makes 500; the time of manufacture of the other 300 is not known to us but is likely to have been shortly after inception of the new coinage in April 1873. The 1873 dime with arrows in proof is not rare but has become very popular owing to its status as a type coin: first year with arrows of this design.
Quarter. No Arrows. [600] Struck with the sets, closed 3 only. Shield point over r. edge of upright of 1, left base of lover space -almost over left edge, tiny rust pit in die in drapery r. of wrist; rev. of 1872, die cut from left border of shield. The business strikes have left base of 1 minutely r. of left edge.