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 Replies: 27 / Views: 7,855 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2805 Posts |
So were the edges reeded artificially to make them seem further different from the typical cupronickel smooth-edged 5-cent piece? Or were Shield nickel edges reeded, and the early Liberty nickels were reeded too, but it was dropped with the "CENTS" addition? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
All nickel five cent pieces have had a plain edge. Some of the people making and passing racketeer nickels reeded the edge before plating to make the plated coin more closely resemble a half eagle, which did have reeded edges.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1796 Posts |
I have an article I wrote about discerning between "genuine" racketeer nickels and modern "reproductions" over on The Black Cabinet: http://fakes.numismetrica.com/2012/...c-1883-0001/Where there are some microscopic features you can take into account, matthewvincent, specksynder, and Gyrene7483 nailed the major discerning factors. Sadly in the end there's truly no way to be *certain* just likely or unlikely. :-) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Steve, I found your article on the Racketeer Nickel quite informative. I dug out my example and looked at it under a 30x glass. Results: I found it difficult to determine the lack of gold color in the scratches and, if that were the only characteristic, I would still be in the dark. However, the recesses tell a loud story. The detail of the ear. Surfaces are worn BUT the inner ear shows gold color.  And the indentation between the nose and the cheek:  Similarly, the hair surfaces are worn but the 'scalp' shows gold. On the reverse the wreath shows many gold flakes remaining in the crevices. While, as you said, they is no absolute proof to be had the coin has things going for it. It 'looks' honest [for a cheat!] Many thanks, Matthew |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
GREAT NEWS!
I wrote an article about the 1883 Racketeer Nickel for the Barber Journal and just today I received the Sept. issue. A link to this topic was published, and maybe one or two of our members will add something.
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
I've got one that I'm reasonably sure is genuine. It has a reeded edge but no gold on it. It's been well circulated (VG) so I imagine if it ever made it to the plating stage, all the gold just came off. It's been in my collection for about 25 years and went to ebay a couple months ago but no one bid on it.....  |
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Pillar of the Community
5464 Posts |
Would a TPG'er straight grade a Racketeer or detail/damage it? |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
5464 Posts |
Quote:
This one is authentic for sure. So I guess a reeded edge isn't necessary. Would a TPG'er grade it as authentic? Edited by USSID18
05/27/2019 5:22 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4692 Posts |
Quote:
"It's pretty easy to plate a nickel," he said. "It makes such a great story, but they're fakes. None of them has the provenance of this particular coin, the Deadwood Racketeer Nickel." Just a made up story. |
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Pillar of the Community
5464 Posts |
Quote:
Just a made up story. So I guess you're saying; it would be helpful to read the entire article.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4692 Posts |
Reading is one thing, comprehending and drawing conclusions is another. Plus, "salting" a pick is common practice.
Edited by jimbucks
05/27/2019 5:33 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Glad I don't need one in my Album.
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Pillar of the Community
5464 Posts |
Quote:
Glad I don't need one in my Album. I'm glad I don't want one.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4418 Posts |
Edited by ExoGuy
05/28/2019 11:35 am
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Replies: 27 / Views: 7,855 |
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Posted 07/22/2013 12:57 am
