1866 5C J-488, BN (Proof)

In 1866, the year after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. Mint created pattern five cent pieces with the portrait of the martyred President. Some were made in Nickel (Judd-486), Copper (Judd-487), Bronze (Judd-488), and Brass (Judd-488a). These are the only U.S. patterns that bear Lincoln's portrait, thus they are very popular with collectors despite their great rarity. Apparently, these were struck in two different batches -- perhaps at different times -- on planchets weighing either 58 or 72 grains. Supposedly, a dozen Judd-488's are known, but we have only been able to identify three positively different examples. The best example is a PCGS PR66RB which is now in the Bob Simpson Collection.