1883/2 Shield. FS-013. Breen-2524. MS-65 (NGC).

Highly lustrous silver gray with splashes of rich golden toning on both sides. A prominent obverse die crack extends downward from the lowermost leaf to the rim at 4:00. An unsung rarity, a date that is far, far more elusive than current literature or collecting habits indicate. Indeed, within any grade from G-4 right up to gem quality, this overdate variety is rare! There are several varieties of Shield nickels that are often mistaken for the overdate, the most guilty of these varieties being an 1882 die with a filled 2 in the date. The present coin is, however, easily the most prominent of the several 1883/2 varieties recorded, with bold remnants of all four underlying numerals still plain in the die. The underlying 2 is unmistakable in its position between the second 8 and the 3 in the date. As for its elusive nature at the gem level, NGC has certified just three examples of this prized rarity at MS-65, as here, or finer, "or finer" represented by a solitary piece at the MS-66 level. Undeniably rare, and worthy of serious bidding consideration when it crosses the auction block.

NGC Census: 2; 1 finer (MS-66).