Very odd looking/colored 1939 nickel...

[SpencerK]

Got a really odd looking 1939 nickel in change today... I've never even seen a nickel come out of the ground like this...





What the heck is going on with this nickel?

 

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[huntsman53]

The Nickel was either exposed to heat or was in a fire which brought the Copper portion of it's make-up (composition) to the surface.


Frank

 

[galenrog]

While heat appears likely with your example, this color can also occur through environmental exposure. I have found nickels in browns, yellows, reds, blues, greens, and several other colors.

Past time for more coffee.

 

[sutphin]

STRAIGHT LEMON JUICE WILL TURN EM RED ..

 

[Iron Buzz]

The soil in my area generally turns nickels red. I suspect that it leaches out some the nickle, exposing more of the copper. Only the war nickels and newer coins come out looking silvery here.

 

[against the wind]

Looks like a dug nickel.
Congrats on a second year issue Jefferson.

 

[coinman123]

It looks like a dug nickel, that then was cleaned with steel wool. Cool pocket change find, it is hard to find any nickels old than the mid 1950's. Also, the 1939d is rarer, did you check for mint mark?

 

[Trezurehunter]

It looks like a dug nickel. Putting them in a rock tumbler to clean them will also give a nickel that color.

 

[jeff of pa]

If it were dug here I would call it a normal Dug nickle

 

[scruggs]

Love the color...a good find!

 

[trapperart]

Looks like a recycled dug nickel