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 Replies: 7 / Views: 9,412 |
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Valued Member
United States
62 Posts |
I went to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee this morning and as I went to pay for it I spotted a coin lying beside the cash register - nickel size and shape, but no face. I picked it up and turned it over; it's blank on the back as well. The lady at the register said, "It's a fake nickel." I replied, "Maybe not fake but a blank planchet. Some people collect those." She didn't understand "planchet," so she turned away to deal with the next customer. I fished a normal nickel out of my pocket and set it where the "fake" had been, and kept the blank.
Now, short of weighing it to see if it weighs the same as a normal nickel is there any good way to verify that it is indeed a blank nickel planchet? It does not have a raised rim, but the rim does appear to have been smoothed. There is no sharp edge as there would be if it were simply punched out of sheet metal.
I can post a picture later this evening if that will help.
Thanks,
- Sam
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1626 Posts |
Here is one I found on ebay to compare to..  Does it look like this? It was definitely worth a nickel to find out... Good luck |
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Valued Member
 United States
62 Posts |
Yes, Tpatna - that is pretty much what it looks like. Contact marks in different places, but otherwise a twin.
Thanks,
- Sam
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
A picture of yours would help !!
Metalman
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
You do know you could have been arrested for taking the one without asking for it in spite of the fact that you put a real nickel there.
As to authentic, could well be a blank from a washer factory. Many people in such places over the years have made blanks the same size as a nickel to be used in vending machines. A blank washer without a hole is a lot cheaper to produce than a nickel. In the past this was difficult due to the metals used to make a washer being highly magnetic. Nowadays, many stainless stell products are just as low in magnetic properties as a Nickel coin. That also may explain the nicks and dents.
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Valued Member
United States
62 Posts |
just carl - Actually, there is normally a "penny cup" beside the cash register. You drop in a few cents if you get them in change and don't want to put them in your pocket, or take one or two to give the clerk if you are short. The cup was missing today but the blank nickel was sitting in the usual place - so I considered it fair game. Plus I have "bought" Canadian and Mexican coins from the penny cup before - with permission - and the clerk never cares. I would have asked again this time, but she turned away so I didn't bother. I'm well aware the blank may not be an actual planchet. I'd like to see if the weight is right, but don't have immediate access to a scale. The next time I am in my local coin shop I'll see if they have one. Meanwhile, I did take a picture when I got home this evening.  - Sam |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Hi Sam
You got one ,, although the planchet is a bit rough ,, the value drops slightly , to about 2 or 3 dollars but its still a nice find for the circumstances.
Metalman
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Valued Member
United States
194 Posts |
Wow, awesome grab! Well worth five cents. Phoenix  |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 9,412 |
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Posted 03/27/2007 1:39 pm
