1867 5C No Rays, Pattern Reverse, CAM PR63CAM Certification #37598570, PCGS #519407

Ron Guth

This unusual mule (an unlikely pairing of obverse and reverse dies) combines a regular Proof obverse die of 1867 with a Proof reverse die used on pattern coins of 1867 (J-476, J-477, J-478, J-479, J-500, J-507, J-508, J-509, and J-509a).  According to John Dannreuther, THE expert on U.S. Proof coins, these were NOT Patterns, but were actually included in Proof sets of the year that were sold to collectors.  The Pattern die can be distinguished by the position of the star above the space between the T and the S of CENTS; on the regular Proofs, the star is centered above the T.  Generally, dies for pattern coins were not used for regular production, which is what makes this piece so unusual and desirable.  Since this variety was discovered, very few examples have been identified, indicating a very small mintage.