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Posted 11/20/2011 1:56 pm
The packaging has absolutely nothing to do with the nickels from the early 1960's proof sets turning blue.
The cause is actually in the metal itself. Cobalt is the reason for the blue color. Cobalt usually not mined alone and tends to be produced as a by-product of nickel and copper mining activities. From 1960-64 cobalt in levels not previously found in the nickel rolled for the manufacture of 5 cent coins was supplied to the mint. The mint had no knowledge of this and used this materail to strike the proofs. At one time in the late 1960's the blue colored poof nickels had a large premium over non blue ones. Since then the premium has vanished but we still have beautifully blue colored nickels to enjoy in our collection.
Ed
ANA LM-3175
The cause is actually in the metal itself. Cobalt is the reason for the blue color. Cobalt usually not mined alone and tends to be produced as a by-product of nickel and copper mining activities. From 1960-64 cobalt in levels not previously found in the nickel rolled for the manufacture of 5 cent coins was supplied to the mint. The mint had no knowledge of this and used this materail to strike the proofs. At one time in the late 1960's the blue colored poof nickels had a large premium over non blue ones. Since then the premium has vanished but we still have beautifully blue colored nickels to enjoy in our collection.
Ed
ANA LM-3175
, hey by any chance are you a marine?
