| Author |
 Replies: 8 / Views: 3,695 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
Hey, everybody! I'm interested in picking up a gold-plated racketeer nickel (1883 No Cents V nickel) to add to my V nickel set. There are a few dealers who I consider reputable who claim that they have a nickel with gold-plating that is somehow "original" or "dates to the era". Obviously, I'd rather have something like that instead of a modern-plated sample. The question is: how does one know the difference, and how can I prove the difference later on? I've seen pieces that have old gold plating but have a worn spot in the center of the reverse, making me believe it was a jewelry piece, and I'm not interested in that. Anyone have suggestions or information? Is this basically a fool's errand and I should just pick a gold-plated nickel that I'm happy with? |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3233 Posts |
Good luck. If the gold-plating is all still there, chances are it's of recent making. I would only buy one that has much of the plating worn off like it was really used. I wouldn't pay much of a premium for it either.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
I have one that is pretty darn clean looking. I don't think there is any sure way to tell it is original or not. One thing that I never thought of that was mentioned to me is they would score the edges of the nickel to look like a reeded edge of a gold coin. Coins that are plated but plain edged are probably not a true racketeer nickel.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If you know any kids in college you could ask them if they have a chem class. There they could plate one for you with Brass. Of you could go to coin shows and if you don't see one there, ask dealer if they could come up with one for you. I used to do that with 1943 Copper plated Cents and eventually purchsed a lot of them.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
1080 Posts |
mmerc20 -- I just recently read about the reeded edge. That's a pretty interesting facet that I had not considered before. You know, the 1883 No Cents is available affordably in great condition... It would be interesting to reed the edge yourself and have a jeweler plate it for you. Then you'd have a nice looking racketeer nickel for your collection. And you wouldn't have to worry about it's authenticity and the premium you paid because you made it yourself and DIDN'T pay any premium.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Well think about it a bit. If they were originals they were gold plated in 1883 when the coins were Mint State. Then if they circulated as the coin wore on the high points the gold plating would wear through there. Then as wear continued the unplated areas would become larger, the gold would wear off the rims, and wear and breaks in the plating would start showing in the open field areas. As the grade of the coin declines more and more gold disappears until it is only visible in protected areas like around the stars, close to the letters and in the deepest recesses of the design.
So if the coin is low grade but the plating is complete over the whole coin you know it is a modern plate job. Same goes for a mid grade coin that does not have the worn off plating in the worn areas. Now on a MS coin you could create a passible "original" Racketeer nickel, but I doubt if too many people are willing to gold plate MS 1883 nickels. Even if they did since the possibility of fakes exists the prices would probably still be less than that of an unplated coin.
So your only real possibility would be plating a choice Au-55 and passing it off as an original. (Plate the AU then apply a little rub to take the color off the high points.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
When I get home tonight I will scan and post some pics of the MS or near MS gold plated nickel I have. It is awful nice but the gold is quite pristine too. Now...if I can only remember to do it when I get home.
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
Quote:
Well think about it a bit. If they were originals they were gold plated in 1883 when the coins were Mint State. Then if they circulated as the coin wore on the high points the gold plating would wear through there. Then as wear continued the unplated areas would become larger, the gold would wear off the rims, and wear and breaks in the plating would start showing in the open field areas. As the grade of the coin declines more and more gold disappears until it is only visible in protected areas like around the stars, close to the letters and in the deepest recesses of the design. Would they make it that long in circulation? I'm wondering how many people it would fool before they realized it was just a nickel. I suppose it would continue circulating as a nickel, since I don't think too many would fall for it after the plating showed signs of wear. Hopefully not too many fell for it to begin with...$4.95 is a lot to lose in 1883!  |
|
Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
I remembered! Here are the pics. It is strange that it looks like the "unum" was filed away. Other than that, it's a beautiful coin.   |
| |
Replies: 8 / Views: 3,695 |
|
Posted 01/02/2011 8:27 pm
