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 Replies: 11 / Views: 7,268 |
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
I have this 1883 V Nickle that is golden colored with a hole in it. I was wondering is it real or fake? The only reason I question if it's real is because I never seen the V Nickle in a golden color before and also it's in amazing condition (not including the hole.) It has a hole on the second 8 in 1883, I am guessing someone drilled it so they could wear it as a necklace or something. So do ya'll think this coin is REAL or FAKE. Pictures posted below. Thanks, Kyle   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
It is a real nickel plated with gold post-mint. Part of numismatic lore/mythology is the 1883 racketeer nickel. 1883 was the first year for the new Liberty Head nickel and it was created without a listed denomination, only a Roman numeral 5. Legend has it that certain unscrupulous entrepreneurs gold-plated some of the new nickels and added reeding in order to pass them off as $5 gold coins. Part way through 1883, the design was changed and CENTS was added under the V. Written history is rather sketchy on the matter but stories of Josh Tatum and his nickels still persist.
However, almost all gold plated nickels encountered in the modern period have been recently plated and do not have reeding. If you find one that circulated enough to wear off the gold plating on the high points and it has added reeding, there is a chance it is an original racketeer nickel.
Edited by biokemist6
07/19/2011 4:00 pm
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Valued Member
United States
361 Posts |
First of all  . 1883 was the first year these were made. The mint left off the word cents. There was an enterprising fellow who was known for plating these in gold and passing them off as $5.00 gold pieces. He would not say anything to the person he was passing it off on. He would just take the change from a $5.00 payment if they gave it to him. When he was eventually caught, he explained that he never said a word. Just took his change and left. I am not sure what they ended up doing to him. His name was Josh. This is where the saying comes from when someone says you must be Joshing me or he Joshed us all with his stories. Many of these were plated over the years to look like gold. I am certain yours is as well. After that the mint started putting the word "cents" on these 5 cent pcs. Well, as my wife often says" ask Bob the time and he will tell you how to build a watch" |
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Valued Member
United States
361 Posts |
Hi Biokemist, how funny is it we were both typing the same reply at the same time. Although you did beat me by a few seconds, Bob
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New Member
 United States
12 Posts |
So is my coin worth anything?  |
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Valued Member
United States
52 Posts |
On ebay there asking $20-$70.....but who knows what there going to sell it for. I think you could {if you wanted} sell it for $20 From,  Sunshine99 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
609 Posts |
I'm not sure but I think some of the real ones have reeded edges like quarters. If you could check that might help someone else determine if its real  I dont own one because I didnt really know the history behind it. Thanks biokemist! I think my local dealer has a real one for like $8. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
648 Posts |
Quote:
Josh Tatum Quote:
Joshing me You guys crack me up what a " racketeer "  such a fun place to be  |
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
Okay, Thanks everyone for your opinions.
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Pillar of the Community
2223 Posts |
I don't think you will find an authentic Rackateer, that is a 1883 V nickel without CENTS, and originally coated in 1883 with a gold type substance. Allegedly, if this really occured which I think it probably did, it was in low numbers. Rumor also has it, as biochemist points out, the culprits manually reeded the altered V nickels also, to better pass the gold colored coin off as a $5.00 piece. To my knowledge, and I've done alot of reading on this, not a one has ever surfaced. Your gold colored one is coated with something, I doubt gold, to pass it off as a true Racketeer. Maybe not the seller, but someone else. There are many on ebay. Now a nice Unc 1883 with and one without CENTS could probably be had for about $100- 130. Just my HO of course. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
And once again the Josh Tatum fiction is repeated.
And the term Josh meaning to trick or fool dates from the 1830's almost 50 years before the racketeer nickel.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
From what I have heard/read, the individual (did someone say he was mute?) who passed these (plated 1883 "no cents" nickles) would buy a 5 cent cigar, and he would receive $4.95 back in change. Plate (more nickles) and repeat the process. I also heard/read that the authorities could not charge him for a crime, since he (allegedly) did not ask for change for the transaction. Here is one of the versions from; The most famous criminal case about altered 5 cent coins involved a deaf mute named Josh Tatum. He would go to cigar stands and purchase a 5c cigar and pay with a gold plated, hand reeded nickel. The attendant would assume that it was a $5 gold piece and give Josh $4.95 change. He was acquitted since he never said that the coin was $5, he couldn't. The Mint had learned its lesson and the following year put the word "cents" at the bottom of the reverse. ...and a previous thread; https://goccf.com/t/77829IMO that coin list in the opening post is a higher grade than VF; it has just a slight amount of wear above the brow, XF - AU. Edited by oih82w8
07/20/2011 11:08 am
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Replies: 11 / Views: 7,268 |
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Posted 07/19/2011 3:59 pm
