Whitman Expo
1912 Uniface Reverse, Fraser Electrotrial 5-Cents Die Trial MS JC1912-2 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:
Plain (unstruck) obverse
Reverse:
Uniface Reverse, Judd-1912-2, 4.096 grams, 63.21 grains, similar to the Type I design adopted for regular issue coinage in 1913, but with smaller letters in the denomination FIVE CENTS, hyphens instead of periods between the words in the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, tiny letters in the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and minor differences in the design of the bison.
Source: Stacks Bowers
Basic Information
GSID:
402669
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 Reverse, Fraser Electrotrial
Variety 2:
JC1912-2
Rarity:
R-unique
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
4.096 gr
Weight:
0.13169 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Obverse Lettering:
FIVE CENTS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Feedback:
