Question About The Texture Of Nickels From The 80s

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,975
MS70Error5 Valued Member United States 434 Posts	Posted 11/09/2015 9:03 pm I notice that many nickels from 1982-1989 have this funny texture. It looks like extra polish, grease, or something that gives it a wavy look and that the metal "has something on it." I know it's not acid because literally half the nickels I find between these dates have that funny look. Here is a 1988 p nickel with the wavy area under Pluribus and Unum. The 1983 p nickel has this weird texture to a much greater extent. Note the weird mass of metal near the nose. I would appreciate insight on whether these are errors, or why so many nickels from this time period are like that. Thank you. :) Report this Post to the Staff

SilverStackerKid Pillar of the Community United States 6478 Posts	Posted 11/09/2015 9:06 pm Extremely bad die wear. This die was pushed WAY beyond it's limits. You see the texture under five cents? That is caused by particles moving across the die face during striking, and scratching the die. Report this Post to the Staff
MS70Error5 Valued Member United States 434 Posts	Posted 11/09/2015 9:13 pm Oh ok. Thanks for letting me know. I notice 1984 p nickels have extreme die ware too. Any particular reason why the nickels from this time used such poorly worn dies for almost a decade? Report this Post to the Staff
Numisma Pillar of the Community United States 4963 Posts	Posted 11/09/2015 9:21 pm The mint used different practices at different times. I've seen this on plenty of coins (not just nickels) from the late 1970's and 1980's. Report this Post to the Staff
coop Bedrock of the Community United States 62064 Posts	Posted 11/10/2015 02:48 am The composition of the planchet of 75% copper and 25% nickel (the harder metal) makes the dies wear quicker. The thickness also places a lot of stress on the dies. Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 11/10/2015 05:29 am But the nickel content 75% copper 25% nickel stays the same but only some years are affected? Why? John1 Report this Post to the Staff
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