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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,503 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
I was looking through some MS War Nickels on ebay. I'm not quite sure what to look for so I don't get burned. I seen many BU or MS listings and some are very lusterous and others have pretty good detail but sorta dull looking, maybe a milky white colour. I'm not sure how MS silver coins should look. Any advice or pictures? David Edited by TheForce 05/18/2005 06:33 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
You have to take into consideration that these issues contain a small amount of silver. They are truely in a class by themselves. They turn a dark color pretty quickly in circulation making them easy to identify. However, in MS, they can have a milky look if untoned. I will look through my files to find some good pics.
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New Member
United States
41 Posts |
I have seen a lot of silver coins with 'milk spots' or milky appearance. From what I understand, the silver reacts with the environment to produce this toning.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
Something else to consider on these coins is that I've seen quite a few of these that were definitely uncirculated with horrible strikes around the steps and the triangle. These looked like strike-though errors (probably grease). I have seen pretty large areas affected also.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4867 Posts |
Thanks everybody for your help!
David
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New Member
United States
15 Posts |
When it comes to the Jefferson nickels, the quality of the strike is a big determing factor in both price and grade. Note that the examples ND posted were graded MS66FS and MS68FS - the FS standing for Full Steps. In order to gain this designation the coin must be fully struck to the extent that the five of the steps leading up to Monticello are clearly defined.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
867 Posts |
I've also seen some wartime nickels with some interesting laminations. I guess the metals didn't always mix properly or something? One in my collection has a big flaky streak running through the entire coin, most noticable on the reverse near the mintmark. Hard to describe, and this blasted scanner of mine is down for the count.  Rachel [:p]
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
I just got back a MS67FS from NGC and also two MS66FS's!!!!
1943-D was the date and they were out of the roll they came in from the bank...also they had toned soooo neat... I also had one come back just a MS66..don't know how I messed up on that one ;--)
Speedy
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Rest in Peace
United States
954 Posts |
The "milky" color on the silver nickels is usually caused by two things. The first is toning that has been removed by dip and then let air dry. The surface has a reaction to manganese in the coin that creates a milky corrosion. The coin will retone quite quickly.
The second cause of the silver nickel to turn milky is when you display the coin in direct light. Sunlight is the most damaging.
catman
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,503 |
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