Q. David Bowers
1878
Proof-50 to 52 coins certified: 42. Multiplied by 3 = 125 estimated to exist.
Proof-63 coins certified: 71. Multiplied by 2.5 = 177 estimated to exist.
Proof-64 coins certified: 66. Multiplied by 2 = 132 estimated to exist.
Proof-65 or better coins certified: 25. Multiplied by 2 = 50 estimated to exist.
Grand total of Proof coins certified: 204 Total Proofs estimated to exist: 485 Proof mintage: 900
% of Proof mintage estimated to exist today: 54%
1879
Proof-60 to 52 coins certified: 105. Multiplied by 3 = 318 estimated to exist.
Proof-63 coins certified: 113. Multiplied by 2.5 = 282 estimated to exist.
Proof-54 coins certified: 104. Multiplied by 2 = 208 estimated to exist.
Proof-65 or better coins certified: 59. Multiplied by 2 = 138 estimated to exist.
Grand total of Proof coins certified: 392 Total Proofs estimated to exist: 945 Proof mintage: 1,541
% of Proof mintage estimated to exist today: 61 %
1880
Proof-50 to 52 coins certified: 115. Multiplied by 3 = 345 estimated to exist.
Proof-53 coins certified: 125. Multiplied by 2.5 = 312 estimated to exist.
Proof-54 coins certified: 161. Multiplied by 2 = 322 estimated to exist.
Proof-55 or better coins certified: 105. Multiplied by 2 = 212 estimated to exist.
Grand total of Proof coins certified: 507
Total Proofs estimated to exist: 1,191 Proof mintage: 1,987
% of Proof mintage estimated to exist today: 60%
1881
Proof-60 to 62 coins certified: 66. Multiplied by 3 = 198 estimated to exist.
Proof-53 coins certified: 85. Multiplied by 2.5 = 212 estimated to exist.
Proof-64 coins certified: 117. Multiplied by 2 = 234 estimated to exist.
Proof-55 or better coins certified: 61. Multiplied by 2 = 122 estimated to exist.
Grand total of Proof coins certified: 329 Total Proofs estimated to exist: 756 Proof mintage: 950
% of Proof mintage estimated to exist today: 80%
1882
Proof-50 to 52 coins certified: 95. Multiplied by 2 = 190 estimated to exist.
Proof-53 coins certified: 95. Multiplied by 2.5 = 240 estimated to exist.
Proof-54 coins certified: 131. Multiplied by 2 = 252 estimated to exist.
Proof-55 or better coins certified: 72. Multiplied by 2 = 144 estimated to exist.
Grand total of Proof coins certified: 394 Total Proofs estimated to exist: 705 Proof mintage: 1,097
% of Proof mintage estimated to exist today: 64%
1883
Proof-50 to 52 coins certified: 69. Multiplied by 3 = 207 estimated to exist.
Proof-63 coins certified: 72. Multiplied by 2.5 = 180 estimated to exist.
Proof-54 coins certified: 110. Multiplied by 2 = 220 estimated to exist.
Proof-55 or better coins certified: 55. Multiplied by 2 = 110 estimated to exist.
Grand total of Proof coins certified: 305 Total Proofs estimated to exist: 717 Proof mintage: 979
% of Proof mintage estimated to exist today: 73%
Ranked by Rarity in all Proof Grades The following is a list of Proof coins ranked by the total estimated number known in all Proof categories from Proof-60 to Proof-65 or better: (Commonest to rarest)
1880: Total Proofs estimated to exist: 1,191 (Proof mintage: 1,987)
1879: 946 (Proof mintage: 1,541)
1881: 766 (Proof mintage: 960)
1883: 717 (Proof mintage: 979)
1882: 705 (Proof mintage: 1,097)
1876: 555 (Proof mintage: 1,150)
1875: 494 (Proof mintage: 700)
1878: 485 (Proof mintage: 900)
1877: 478 (Proof mintage: 710 or 510?)
1874: 424 (Proof mintage: 700)
1873: 348 (Proof mintage: 500 my estimate; 855 per the Guide Book)
Commentary
It will be seenthat the survival rate for the earlier issues is less than that for the later dates. The low rate for 1876 is explained by the fact that the abnormally high mintage included pieces made for sale to the public in the Centennial Exhibition year; many coinssold to the public were later lost. The 1876 Proof is somewhat of an anomaly in that examples are more difficult to find on the market than the data suggest (see the 1876 section for additional commentary). It may be that the 1876 should be ranked betweenthe 1877 and the 1874 in the above list; certainly, empirical evidence gathered at conventions in 1991 and 1992 indicated this. However, situations change from time to time, and perhaps 1991 and 1992 are not representative. (Apropos of changing situations, I recall that dealer Abe Kosoff once told me that he spent several years searching for an Uncirculated 1891 Liberty Head nickel for a client, and that in his opinion this was the rarest business strike issue of the 1883-1912 series. However, in my own experience, Mint State 1891 coins have been readily available. Apparently, they were rare for a time on the market.)