Some good ones! Help Identify possible error plz.

nyiangelo · Aug 23, 2009

Well today picked up a 1866 shield nickel, 1873 shield nickel, and the first ever Indian 1859. Look at the nickel though. I think it is pretty strange. I don't see how someone could just take a hammer to it to put the indentions in. It was the only coin in the hole also. You can see three dates on the front. Along with "America" and part of "States". Look at the 5 on the back also. Any help would be appreciated.

curbdiggercarl57 · Aug 23, 2009

I would soak it in microwaved peroxide, a light brushing with a soft toothbrush, and that's about it. No serious cleaning. At first glance, that does appear to be a real nice coin error. If you can post some better photos, (which may be hard to do), someone more knowledgeable may give you a better answer. The double "5" looks real enough to me. Excellent find!
Carl

nyiangelo · Aug 23, 2009

Yeah that 5 looks like an error all day. But that front is strange. Especially with different dates.

Tank69 · Aug 24, 2009

wtg nice find

catskillcomics · Aug 24, 2009

seems like you have yourself one odd coin, multiple dates, double 5, and no rays (or at least I don't seem them on the Pic)
Wouldn't hurt to check it out, I would send it in to an expert and have it graded, you may have an extremely rare coin..

Gilligan · Aug 24, 2009

I would not clean it at all. Let the pros clean it. You could easily reduce the value by cleaning it yourself.

spartacus53 · Aug 24, 2009

WTG on that find, it looks like a mint error for sure. :icon_thumleft:

jgas · Aug 24, 2009

Agreed...Do Not Clean this one. Send it in. That looks like a real good keeper there. Could be very rare indeed. Let us know what you end up with either way. Should be interesting. jgas

allen · Aug 24, 2009

get that coin graded and let us know what all they say about it ! :thumbsup:

creeper71 · Aug 24, 2009

You should NEVER clean a coin that you may think has a good deal of value to it..could make a 1000.00 coin worth only a 1.00 if you don't know what your doing... I am wondering if maybe this coin isn't counterfeited... don't make sense to counterfeit a nickel but 3 dates don't make no sense..

rockdude · Aug 24, 2009

That's a normal looking Shield Nickel except of course for the repunched Denomination. The rays where removed from the die's in 1867 to help with striking problems.

curbdiggercarl57 · Aug 24, 2009

Gilligan said:
I would not clean it at all. Let the pros clean it. You could easily reduce the value by cleaning it yourself.

Actually, you're correct. Disregard Carl's previous message, hadn't had his third cup of coffee yet.
Carl

Newt · Aug 24, 2009

nyiangelo said:
Well today picked up a 1866 shield nickel, 1873 shield nickel, and the first ever Indian 1859. Look at the nickel though. I think it is pretty strange. I don't see how someone could just take a hammer to it to put the indentions in. It was the only coin in the hole also. You can see three dates on the front. Along with "America" and part of "States". Look at the 5 on the back also. Any help would be appreciated.

Do not clean this coin. Get it authenticated.
Newt

Nick A · Aug 24, 2009

The 5 side definitely got my attention. I can't explain that side. If that's all there was, I'd say definite potential for mint error.

The second (date) side looks like a typical smashed coin - where one takes two coins and puts them in a vise to mash them together or gives them a good whack with a hammer.

So, you got me stumped on this one, I'm suspicious because of the second side.

nyiangelo · Aug 24, 2009

Yeah like I said if it was just the 5 then I would call error. But what I don't get is why isn't there any indentions in the shield? Just all around it. You would figure with a hammer or vise the whole coin would be on there, not just the edges. Is it worth getting authenticated? If so from who?

jgas · Aug 24, 2009

Wouldn't the indentations of dates be backwards if someone were to lay one on top of the other and strike it? I think it's the real deal...Getr' graded! jgas

VERMONTPACKRAT · Aug 24, 2009

Is it possible to see some more pics of the Shield Nickel? From different angles may help too :dontknow:

Not really sure what you have there. :icon_scratch:

VPR

Evan/tn · Aug 24, 2009

hope it turns out to be a valuable error coin for you
nice find!!! :headbang:

hogge · Aug 24, 2009

That's an absolutely fantastic looking error coin. Never seen anything like it. You first have to get it authenticated. You have to make sure it isn't counterfeit. Looks real to me, but weight will be the key. It looks like all 3 dates appear to have been from the US mint. Some others may pipe in on this. Take it to a reputable dealer first. (And I wouldn't take his offer if he does make one). First see if it's real, then determine what error(s) you have. Then go from there. Fantastic find!!! :headbang:

West Jersey Detecting · Aug 24, 2009

If it were not for the multiple dates, I might have suspected a mint error, but it is unquestionably NOT a mint error. It would be impossible for three different dates to appear on one coin, especially from years that no coins of that denomination were even minted. Nickel five cent pieces were not produced until 1866. perhaps it was punched to commemorate an event or events in someones life.

It is still an interesting find. I would not ever attempt to clean any nickel based coin anyway. It won't do any good.