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Opinions please on this Racketeer nickel
I've been going back and forth with the seller for 2 weeks on this piece. He refuses to believe it possibly could not be "genuine". Your opinions please.





Am I wrong to think that this isn't an authentic racketeer nickel because of the wear under the plating? Look at the "Liberty" on the Bust of the coin. The reverse looks like it is a grease filled die strike at the E Pluribus Unum but the wear on the obverse with the plating over it leads me to believe it is not an authentic Racketeer nickel. The wear of the plating doesn't bother me, it's the wear under the plating I'm wondering about. So, Am I right? Wrong? Don't care?
So, what say you?





Am I wrong to think that this isn't an authentic racketeer nickel because of the wear under the plating? Look at the "Liberty" on the Bust of the coin. The reverse looks like it is a grease filled die strike at the E Pluribus Unum but the wear on the obverse with the plating over it leads me to believe it is not an authentic Racketeer nickel. The wear of the plating doesn't bother me, it's the wear under the plating I'm wondering about. So, Am I right? Wrong? Don't care?
So, what say you?

Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
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Comments
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
I do like the reeding. Looks like a nice job.
<< <i>What is the definition of an "Authentic" one? >>
That seems to be the question, doesn't it. The seller said he asked friends/dealers at FUN and they all said this coin would quality as "authentic" simply because it has been plated and has a reeded edge. I would think "authentic", "genuine", "real", etc. means plated and reeded in 1883 soon after minting.
The Mint Director’s original excuse was that the three cent CuNi coin only had a “III” for denomination and was never confused with the $3 gold coin. But within a week, plans had begun to replace the reverse on the new nickel and add the word “cents.”
I'd place a value on it north of $50.00, approaching $100. on a good day.
peacockcoins
It would be awesome if this one is that worn because it actually did circulate as a $5 gold piece.
Ryan
I dont know how you dealers do it. Letting these people down softly has to be tough.
<< <i>I thought the racketeer nickle was a authentic 1883 Nickel that was plated with gold. This coin is obviously counterfeit since it is reeded. Am I missing something? >>
I hope you're joking...
<< <i>Based on my experience, that is an authentic one, contemporary to the times.
I'd place a value on it north of $50.00, approaching $100. on a good day. >>
I agree. The reeded edge examples are preferable to the more common, non reeded types.
<< <i>What is the definition of an "Authentic" one? I would highly doubt this one was plated in 1883 if that is what you mean. As you say. It is pretty worn to have been plated that quickly. I would venture to say it circulated for years before it was plated.
I do like the reeding. Looks like a nice job. >>
TD
Lane
*Note: Despite the legend, the reference to "joshing" someone did not originate from the Racketeer nickel. The verb to "josh" was a colloquial term used as early as the 1850s.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
"Thank you for your letter. Most of the copy “racketeer” nickels I have seen have not had reeded edges. One with a reeded edge and with traces of plating, and which appears to be old, probably would be an original.
All good wishes to you.
Sincerely,
—Dave Bowers"
So, now I'm torn. Do I listen to RWB or QDB?