1996 Jefferson Nickel. Don't Know Why It Has This Color? Helps Please

It is hard to tell the true color of the nickel from the pictures. It looks most likely like environmental damage but I can't be sure. A black beauty nickel would have a more even gray color rather than the gradient brown. Also, refrain from trying to alter the color or surface of a coin in any way as it can damage the coin and take away it's value. It is generally ok to take off surface verdigris or other substances with a product called verdicare, or you could try acetone. Be sure to do research into the more acceptable ways to clean coins and you can always ask questions here if you have any.

Environmental toning of some sort - I have an entire sub-collection of those. There is a thread somewhere on the CCF where I posted images of the collection.




No premium over face value.

Found outdoors. Turned brown. Starting to wear the brown off the high spots. Kept in a pocket for a while linger the color will turn more silver on the devices, but the fields will probably stay a brown or darker color.