A Gem Proof from the Bicentennial Era

This listing offers an exceptional opportunity to acquire a 1976-S Jefferson Nickel, certified and encapsulated by the Professional Coin Grading Service, or PCGS, at the prestigious PR69DCAM, or Proof 69 Deep Cameo, grade. This coin represents the pinnacle of modern proof minting, boasting sharp details, deep mirrored fields, and heavily frosted raised elements that create a striking cameo contrast.

This 1976-S Proof nickel was struck by the San Francisco Mint specifically for collectors and was produced with a total mintage of 4,149,730 pieces. Attaining the near-perfect PR69 grade with the Deep Cameo designation is a testament to this coin's exceptional quality and eye appeal. According to PCGS population data, only 227 examples have been graded higher than this level, highlighting its desirability among collectors.

Historical Context: The Jefferson Nickel Series

The Jefferson Nickel debuted in 1938, replacing the beloved Buffalo Nickel which had been in circulation for the minimum required 25 years. The United States Mint held a public design competition, drawing 390 entrants with the requirement that Thomas Jefferson appear on the obverse and his Virginia home, Monticello, on the reverse.

German-born American sculptor Felix Schlag won the one thousand dollar prize. His obverse design features a bust of Jefferson facing left, based on Jean-Antoine Houdon's famous 1789 portrait. The reverse depicts Monticello in a head-on view; Schlag's original three-quarters perspective was modified by the Treasury Department before production. Schlag's initials FS were later added to the obverse shoulder in 1966.

Proof versions of the Jefferson nickel have been struck at the San Francisco Mint since 1968, following a hiatus in proof production from 1965 through 1967 due to a national coin shortage.

Design and Specifications

The obverse, designed by Felix Schlag, features a bust of Thomas Jefferson facing left. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears on the left periphery, while LIBERTY and the date 1976 are on the right. The S mint mark is positioned below the date. The reverse features a detailed depiction of Monticello, Jefferson's neoclassical mansion in Virginia. The name MONTICELLO is centered beneath the building, with FIVE CENTS and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery, and E PLURIBUS UNUM at the top.

Product Specifications

Denomination: 5 Cents, Nickel
Year: 1976
Mint: San Francisco, S mint mark
Grade: PR69DCAM
Certification: PCGS
Designer: Felix Schlag
Composition: 75 percent Copper, 25 percent Nickel
Weight: 5.00 grams
Diameter: 21.20 millimeters
Edge: Plain
Mintage: 4,149,730 pieces
PCGS Number: 94209

Understanding the Deep Cameo Proof Finish

Proof coins are struck with specially polished dies and planchets, undergoing multiple strikes to achieve a sharp, detailed finish with mirror-like surfaces. The Deep Cameo, or DCAM, designation is awarded to proof coins exhibiting a strong, visually apparent contrast between the highly reflective fields and the heavily frosted raised devices, a hallmark of exceptional minting quality.

Since the late 1970s, virtually all proof Jefferson nickels have exhibited crisp deep cameo contrast, but examples achieving the PR69 grade remain among the finest specimens available. According to auction records, PR70 examples of this issue have realized significant prices at major auctions, demonstrating the strong demand for top-grade cameo specimens.

This coin has been authenticated and graded by PCGS, one of the most respected third-party grading services in the numismatic industry. It is securely housed in a durable, tamper-evident PCGS plastic slab, which protects the coin's condition and guarantees its authenticity for future generations.

The PR69DCAM, or Proof 69 Deep Cameo, grade indicates a near-perfect proof coin with exceptional eye appeal, virtually no visible imperfections under magnification, and bold cameo contrast.

Why This Coin Deserves a Place in Your Collection

This coin carries certified authenticity and grade, as the PCGS slab provides a lifetime guarantee of the coin's genuineness and grade. It is a gem proof quality example, with the PR69DCAM grade indicating a nearly flawless coin with striking cameo contrast, a highly desirable designation for modern proofs. It features a classic design, with Felix Schlag's iconic Jefferson portrait and the Monticello reverse, a cornerstone of American numismatics for over 85 years. The 1976 date connects this coin to America's bicentennial celebration, adding historical interest. Most of all, with only 227 examples graded higher by PCGS, this coin represents a top-tier example of the issue.

This coin is more than currency. It is a gem proof from the Bicentennial era, offering a near-flawless Jefferson Nickel with exceptional cameo

• Low Estimate: 50.00
• High Estimate: 150.00