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All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Modern Variety and Error Coins

Definitive Test For Black Beauty Nickels

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Author	Replies: 289 / Views: 76,871	Page: of 20

nss-52 Moderator United States 54282 Posts	Posted 10/20/2023 09:16 am True "black beauties" are due to an improper treatment of the planchets in the annealing oven. The problem is that struck nickels can turn black from a number of other causes - applied heat, chemicals, being in the ground, improper storage, etc. Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here) See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 10/20/2023 09:31 am That sums it up well. Report this Post to the Staff
nss-52 Moderator United States 54282 Posts	Posted 10/20/2023 11:38 am I've seen claims that a particular example of every denomination of US coins is a "black beauty". Sellers attach that designation to even Lincoln cents and Morgan dollars. Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here) See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) Report this Post to the Staff
CreativeName Valued Member United States 65 Posts	Posted 10/20/2023 12:23 pm I'm only interested in the ANACS black beauty nickels. Not sure if ngc or PCGS even mark their slabs with the designation, but if they do, I'd be interested in those too. I'm not interested in learning enough to identify black beauties myself which is why I want ANACS (or PCGS or NGC) to mark them so I'm confident they are genuine. I just don't know if the prices will keep up like they are now or if the interest could possibly fade (or the population increase) to maybe cause the prices to drop. Report this Post to the Staff
OcalaFlorida Pillar of the Community United States 2824 Posts	Posted 10/21/2023 8:36 pm I was adding a few more coins to this page and I noticed have 3, 1959-p Jefferson nickel that are also 1959-p Jefferson nickel WDDO-002 all of which a black beauty Jefferson nickels. Of this do I don't think I seen a non black beauty example? In case you want to check yours. https://www2.briansvarietycoins.com...ngs/view/626 Edited by OcalaFlorida 10/21/2023 8:48 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Marc Ingram Valued Member United States 288 Posts	Posted 08/21/2025 11:08 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 74279 Posts	Posted 08/21/2025 11:22 pm Nice Black Beauty Nickel, Marc Ingram! Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188660 Posts	Posted 08/22/2025 09:41 am Outstanding example! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Marc Ingram Valued Member United States 288 Posts	Posted 08/22/2025 10:19 am Thank you gents. Report this Post to the Staff
mvsvette New Member United States 6 Posts	Posted 04/24/2026 9:51 pm I know this thread is old, but It's all I could find that really explains the Black Beauty. Thanks SPRU. I bought a huge lot of proof nickels, the l run is from 1956 thru 2011. As I was looking through them, I found 2 1964's not sure if the seller knew there were 2 in the lot. One is definitely a proof. The other looks like a Black Beauty IMO. It has full steps and is uncirculated. The pics show 3 different coins, all 1964. The top one is a regular 1964. The left is the is the black beauty I'm referring to. The bottom is a proof. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks in advance. Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10547 Posts	Posted 04/25/2026 12:03 am "Black Beauty" nickels were most often 1958 and 1959 business strikes - never heard of a "Proof" Black Beauty nickel. Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15437 Posts	Posted 04/25/2026 07:34 am to the I don't believe your 1964 nickel is a Black Beauty. Likely some form of environmental toning. Please crop and properly rotate your photos before posting them here. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
CoinForMe Pillar of the Community United States 2172 Posts	Posted 04/25/2026 09:35 am I would say it's very hard to tell if it's a Black Beauty nickel in a picture; lighting will affect the surface's appearance. Take your coin to a knowledgeable local dealer for a more accurate response. BTW, Proof Coins mostly look black in pictures... Report this Post to the Staff
Chase007 Pillar of the Community United States 7512 Posts	Posted 04/25/2026 10:51 am Quote: I don't believe your 1964 nickel is a Black Beauty. Likely some form of environmental toning. Quote: I would say it's very hard to tell if it's a Black Beauty nickel in a picture; lighting will affect the surface's appearance. Could not agree more since a "Black Beauty" nickel is primarily caused by an improper annealing process during minting and it is difficult to identify and confirm the real deals by just looking at the pictures and in most cases they are not . Quote: "Black Beauty" nickels were most often 1958 and 1959 business strikes - never heard of a "Proof" Black Beauty nickel. Absolutely correct.. Edited by Chase007 04/25/2026 11:05 am Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 96315 Posts	Posted 04/25/2026 4:50 pm Have to agree that this new posted nickel is most likely not a BB. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
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