1209

1883 Nickels, Original and "Gold" Finishes.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:40.00 USD Estimated At:80.00 - 100.00 USD
1883 Nickels, Original and  Gold  Finishes.
An interesting duo for display. Original finish: 2012 ANACS MS 63. The short-lived, controversial "no cents" variant, also known as "racketeer nickel." The new Liberty head style, with only a "V" to indicate denomination. Its resemblance to a quarter-eagle inspired a notorious ruse: when plated in gold, it was passed as a five-dollar piece! Its most infamous distributor was a Bostonian named Josh Tatum. "He linked up with a friend who gold-electroplated thousands of the new 'V' nickels. Tatum successfully passed many of these off as $5 gold coins, buying small items to receive at least four real dollars in change. Eventually, the law caught up with Tatum... but was found not guilty...It seems he never told merchants the gold-plated coin was worth $5, nor did he ask for any change; he simply presented the coin and happily accepted the money offered in return. The court accepted Tatum's argument that he did not speak falsely of the coin - for as a deaf mute, he couldn't talk!"--coinsite.com. Two tiny dark spots on legs of "V" on reverse, else a superior example, with modest cartwheels and elegant lightly frosty toning. * "Gold" plated. Raw, judged MS 61. From an old collection of the 1950s-60s, remaining in its period 2 x 2 holder; it does not have the reeded edge cut by hand into the coin to further the fraud. However, noted numismatic researcher and author Roger W. Burdette has observed, "According to contemporary newspaper stories and Mint documents, the plating of new nickels, and sometimes reeding them, was an ad hoc affair, with jewelers and others in the metals trades at the forefront. Considering the variety of producers, it is likely that many different variations existed in 1883...." Microscopic spots on blank field left of chin and contour of neck, likely from imperfect "gold" plating, else a superior example. (2 pcs.)