question about a shield nickel

[rfishoutofwater]

My dad sent me my grandmas liberty nickel collection that consisted of all dates except for the 1885 and 1912S. Was stoked about that. But in this old book was 3 shield nickels. one is a 1868 the other is a 1879 and the last one I cant read a date. I have some nic-a-date. Would it be ill advised to use this? I have used it on buffalo nickels but not sure on the shield. your thoughts?

 

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[jerseyben]

If you are absolutely certain that it is not a key date then sure, go for it. Try using a loupe first to see if you can manage to spot the date.

 

[rfishoutofwater]

I have checked with a loop but can't see a date. I can barely see the shield. The back of the coin I can make out the 5 cent so I know what the front is supposed to face. What if its a key date? How much would it effect the value?

 

[sagittarius98]

I have checked with a loop but can't see a date. I can barely see the shield. The back of the coin I can make out the 5 cent so I know what the front is supposed to face. What if its a key date? How much would it effect the value?

If there is no date at all, nic-a-date will only increase the value if there is a key date. If there is a small trace of an 1880 or something similar, you would have some value kept by not nic-a-dating it. With no date, you could only uncover a 1880, making that dateless $1-$5 coin be a $20-$50 or more dollar coin.

 

[Gunrunner61]

I'd say go for it!!!.................HH

 

[rfishoutofwater]

Thanks guys. Ill try it out tomorrow and post my results

 

[rfishoutofwater]

Tried the nic a date. No luck. Still can't see a full date. All I can make out is 18--

Any other ideas?

 

[sagittarius98]

Tried the nic a date. No luck. Still can't see a full date. All I can make out is 18--

Any other ideas?

Look really closely. I had one that I put in vinegar, and after a bright LED light and a 10x loupe, I saw a faint date of 1873. As mentioned before, try vinegar (it may make some details less visible, but the date will come up.

 

[cosmic]

Also look at the date different angles, with lights at different angles.. Sometimes all you will make out is shadows of the date.. If you can see rays on the back it will be a 66 or 67... One other thought is take many photos and magnify in you photo program...

 

[rfishoutofwater]

Tried all that. Ill let it sit in vinegar all day and try again.

 

[rfishoutofwater]

So I kinda got a date and it looks like it could be 1880. Still soaking. The last number could also be a 3 but it looks closed to 8