The life of a Canadian fish scale

ajaan

These Canadian 5c silvers are really thin and have been given the nickname 'fish scales'. It is a shame this one is bent. It is one of the two key dates (the other is 1884) not counting the melted 1921. This coin would grade a no question Fine ($300 coin) if it wasn't bent. I was told by an old Canadian dealer that these coins were used as screwdrivers in a pinch.

mrfred

I've used a U.S. dime as a screwdriver many times, but only in my adult years, well after we went off the silver standard. The modern U.S. clad coins are very strong and the dime survives well as a screwdriver. I can see how silver would bend and get scuffed.

Congrats on the key date, BTW.

MSD61

Cool coin Don I didn't know these were refered to as fish scales. Shame it's a wee bent but still a good one. Congrats

Numismatics

It is bad to see a key date to be bent like that. I saw a 1875H 25C in EF was holded few weeks ago at my local store.

Still a nice coin tho.

1960NYGiants

Here's my 1875 H large date. OUCH x 2!! Would like nice on Lord Marcovan's vest, yes?

Bought this $1200 coin many years ago for $80, darn near cried when I 1st saw it.



Gene

goldrush00013

Cool!

Fish scales are highly prized by Canadian detectorist as they are tiny and tough for a detector to read.
Here is a later dated one that I was blessed with finding at a local park last year.

ajaan

Gene, that's just ain't right. What a coin without the holes.

Nice find goldrush.

ajaan

I have been informed that this is a Large Date 1875-H.