1883 PROOF SET IN PRESENTATION BOX

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) has certified a fascinating 1883 US Proof Set that was submitted for grading with a vintage presentation box designed to showcase the coins. The ten coins are in similar condition, earning grades of NGC PF 63, NGC PF 64 and NGC PF 64 BN.

The 1883 Proof Set is notable for several reasons. Three types of nickels were issued that year, and 1883 was the final year that the Shield Nickel design and Trade Dollar were available to collectors. Other coins in the set include an Indian Head Cent, a Three-Cent Piece, a Seated Liberty Dime, a Seated Liberty Quarter, a Seated Liberty Half Dollar and a Morgan Dollar.

Three nickel designs in one year is certainly unusual. The final issue of Shield Nickels was circulated in the beginning of the year, alongside a new Liberty Head design. However, there was a major design issue in the new nickel: While it was printed with a V on the reverse, it lacked the word Cents. A design change corrected the issue and was circulated later that year.

The Trade Dollar was first struck in 1873 in a bid to compete with other nations' large silver trade coins, primarily in East Asia. While the US Trade Dollar was quickly demonetized in 1876, the Mint continued to strike Proofs for public sale until 1883.

At the time this set was produced, the US Mint did not offer display options for coins. However, decorative boxes like the one submitted with this set could be purchased from outside vendors, some of whom likely sold the coins not far from where they were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

Though the coins in the set have a face value of only $3.04, the numismatic value is much higher.

To read the complete article, see:
NGC Certifies Fascinating 1883 US Proof Set Submitted with a Presentation Box Designed for the Coins (https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/9036/NGC-certified-1883-proof-set/)

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