The design is similar to the regular-issue 1883 No CENTS Liberty nickel, but LIBERTY is absent on the coronet, instead spread across the upper obverse rim. The stars are smaller and arranged 6 x 7. Struck in nickel with a plain edge.

PR64 Cameo $3,450.00 (Jul 9, 2009 HA.com)

The obverse is similar to that used on regular issue 1883 Liberty nickels, but the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA has been substituted for 13 stars around the periphery. The reverse is inscribed with 50 N. 50C. centered within a wreath of corn and cotton. FIVE is above, CENTS is below. Struck in nickel with a plain edge.

PR67 Cameo $4,600.00 (May 28, 2009 HA.com)

An early prototype for the Liberty nickel that was adopted two years later. This version differs in several ways from the regular design. On the obverse UNITED STATES OF AMERICA circles the rim in place of the stars. On the reverse, a large V is surrounded by a wreath with no statutory inscriptions around the periphery. Struck in nickel with a plain edge.

PR66 Cameo $6,325.00 (Jan 6, 2009 HA.com)

The central obverse is that of the regular issue Liberty nickel, with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around and the date below. The reverse depicts a large Roman numeral V within a wreath of corn and cotton with E PLURIBUS UNUM at the top. Struck in nickel with a plain edge.

The year 1882 was a replay of 1866, with nickel patterns being the order of the day. Charles Barber introduced his Liberty head on a limited number of patterns in the previous year, including cent, three-cent, and five-cent patterns. In 1882 his design appeared on numerous pattern nickels with a variety of obverse and reverse design variations. The same obverse device remained in use for several patterns in 1883.

Obverse Spot Removed--NCS. Proof $1,725.00 (Jan 6, 2009 HA.com)

Similar to the adopted 1883 No Cents Liberty nickel, although the stars are positioned slightly differently. The S in PLURIBUS is widely repunched. Struck in nickel with a plain edge. The white-on-black contrast is compelling, particularly since Liberty's face and neck are as thickly frosted as her hair. An untoned and carbon-free Superb Gem that looks the same today as when it was first struck, more than 125 years ago.

PR67 Ultra Cameo $10,350.00 (Jan 6, 2009 HA.com)

The Charles Barber Liberty Head obverse, here in a so-called "transitional" design, nearly the regular issue but dated 1882. Head facing left, similar to the adopted Liberty Head nickel design, but there are slight differences in the position of the stars. The date is below. The reverse is the same as the infamous 1883 NO CENTS reverse: A Roman numeral V is flanked by a wreath of corn and cotton, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA circling the rim and E PLURIBUS UNUM below. Struck in copper with a plain edge.

The term "nickel" as a denomination earlier applied to the copper-nickel Indian cents, introduced in 1859, then to the three cent nickel that was launched in 1865, then to the five cent Shield nickel that debuted in 1866. By the time the Liberty nickel premiered in 1883, the term had come to rest firmly on the five cent piece, where it remains today. This piece represents a second opportunity for Liberty nickel collectors to obtain an interesting and unusual piece as a complement to their regular-issue collections

PR62 Red and Brown $3,737.50 (Jan 6, 2009 HA.com)

The obverse is similar in design to the Liberty nickel adopted in this year, except the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA replaces the stars. On the reverse a wreath of corn, cotton, maple, and wheat surrounds a central inscription that reads PURE NICKEL. FIVE CENTS is separated above and below with seven stars left and six right. Struck in pure nickel with a plain edge.

The year 1883 continues the popular Liberty nickel pattern series begun in 1882. Although elemental analysis reveals that some patterns of this year were struck in metallic compositions other than those inscribed on them, this particular design, if truly struck in pure nickel, will adhere to a magnet.

PR64 Cameo $2,300.00 (Jan 6, 2009 HA.com)

The obverse is similar in design to the Liberty nickel adopted in this year, except the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA replaces the stars. On the reverse a wreath of corn, cotton, maple, and wheat surrounds a central inscription that reads PURE NICKEL. FIVE CENTS is separated above and below with seven stars left and six right. Struck in aluminum with a plain edge.

So much for truth in advertising. Despite the reverse inscription, the piece is struck in aluminum, a metal that was still quite rare at the time. The various patterns imitating the Liberty Head design of Charles Barber are popular with both pattern collectors and aficionados of the regular series. Perhaps four to six specimens are known.

PR65 $15,525.00 (Jan 6, 2009 HA.com)

The obverse is the regular-issue Liberty Head nickel. The reverse is the traditional wreath of corn, cotton, maple, and wheat, with 33 N. / 67 C. in the center. FIVE is at the top rim and CENTS at the bottom rim, with stars seven left, six right. Struck in nickel with a plain edge.

Again, the purported alloy is not necessarily that which was actually used. Another fairly available (relatively speaking, that is) Liberty Head nickel pattern issue, the perfect acquisition to spice up a nice collection of regular-issue proofs or business strikes. The Pollock pattern reference notes that a hoard of 16 specimens passed from the William H. Woodin collection to F.C.C. Boyd, later to Abe Kosoff, with most of them bought later by Sol Kaplan.

PR66 Cameo $3,450.00 (Jan 6, 2009 HA.com)

Similar to the adopted design of 1883 No Cents nickel, with the addition of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST at the upper obverse border. The obverse stars are also arranged differently. Struck in nickel with a plain edge.

PR63 $2,645.00 (Jul 31, 2008 HA.com)

The obverse is identical to regular issue Liberty Nickels, and the reverse is similar to the adopted design, but the Roman numeral V is slightly smaller and has a scroll across it inscribed CENTS. A scandal emerged in 1883 when con men gold plated the new No Cents Liberty nickels and passed them off as half eagles. This pattern was designed to prevent further shenanigans. Struck in nickel with a plain edge.

PR66 $6,325.00 (Jul 31, 2008 HA.com)

The devices are similar to the issued 1883 No Cents Liberty nickel, but the country name is on the obverse instead of stars, while the reverse has IN GOD WE TRUST in small letters instead of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The portrait is slightly smaller, and the wreath significantly larger, relative to the eventually issued type. Struck in nickel with a plain edge.

PR66 $6,325.00 (Oct 23, 2008 HA.com)