Whitman Expo
1912 Uniface Obverse, Fraser Electrotrial 5-Cents Die Trial MS JC1912-1 Values
Details
These items may appear unusual at first glance, but they are important part of the design process that led to the popular Buffalo nickel that made its debut as a regular U.S. Mint issue in 1913. These electrotrials were made by Medallic Art Company at the request of Buffalo nickel designer James Earle Fraser to illustrate what some of his early sketch models would look like in coin form. As explained by Roger W. Burdette in his 2007 reference Renaissance of American Coinage: 1909-1915:
Obverse:
Uniface Obverse, Judd-1912-1, 4.0 grams, 61.74 grains, similar to the adopted regular issue Buffalo nickel design, but with smaller-size date digits and no designer's initial.
Reverse:
Plain (unstruck) reverse
Source: Stacks Bowers
Basic Information
GSID:
402668
Coin Date:
1912
Denomination:
DT5c / 5-Cents Die Trial
Designation:
MS
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
unique
Coinage Type:
Die Trial
Coinage Years:
1912
Composition:
White Metal
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Uniface Obverse, Fraser Electrotrial
Variety 2:
JC1912-1
Rarity:
R-unique
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
4 gr
Weight:
0.128603 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1912
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
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