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I have found a 1866 nickel with rayes 1a type. au55 or so, But IN GOD WE TRUST the T is not

There! except there is a faint dark partial S shadow on the field. Also the right side of the U is very weak.
Is this mint error ? or a know var. ?
Thanks in advance!
1st. post ....I am actually a morgan guy!

Comments

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 17, 2018 12:16PM

    If you could post a picture, it would be a big help. It could be post mint damage, something that is normal with these coins or a combination of the two.

    The mint had a hard time striking these coins, and incomplete strikes and planchet problems were more the rule than the exception. The copper-nickel alloy was prone to problems, like laminations, and its hardness ate up coin dies like crazy. Die breaks are the norm.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • OOPs! ....It is the S that is missing ! Hope that makes more sense!

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,514 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sounds like a filled die from the description.

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  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,484 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Drag and drop us a picture

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • BStrauss3BStrauss3 Posts: 3,505 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Short, accurate titles, vs. tl;dr

    -----Burton
    ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 34,986 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I vote filled die. I love guessing! :wink:

  • howardshowards Posts: 1,239 ✭✭✭

    Most likely grease fill. These are common on shield nickels. A photo would verify it.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PurpleLite...Welcome aboard.... We need a picture to definitively give you an answer, but it does sound like a grease filled die letter.... Cheers, RickO

  • Thank you ... I've tried in vain to get a jpg. posted. When I get it resolved I will post a pic.

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,484 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Drag and drop

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • When I get it resolved I will post a pic.

  • Hope this works...!

  • Test jpeg

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,484 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Filled die

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • howardshowards Posts: 1,239 ✭✭✭

    Grease fill, as expected.

  • So when I submit this coin for grading....
    Is it best to send it to restoration? (possibly to remove dark spots. etc?)
    Also to check VAR. box and details?
    As I am only familiar with morgans Vams

  • abcde12345abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PurpleLite said:
    So when I submit this coin for grading....
    Is it best to send it to restoration? (possibly to remove dark spots. etc?) YES.
    Also to check VAR. box and details? YES also error
    As I am only familiar with morgans Vams NO. Others fault too

  • KkathylKkathyl Posts: 3,762 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 23, 2018 11:36AM

    filled die, send it in a check the box that says restore to Mint state please.

    Best place to buy !
    Bronze Associate member

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,218 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PurpleLite said:
    So when I submit this coin for grading....
    Is it best to send it to restoration? (possibly to remove dark spots. etc?)
    Also to check VAR. box and details?
    As I am only familiar with morgans Vams

    This coin does not need restoration. It has its original 19th century skin and as such is far more desirable to collectors than if it were to be "scrubbed up" to look bright.

    Not to steal your thread, but here is a Mint State example that might help you understand how these coins look in the higher grades. Copper-nickel luster is not as bright as the luster you see on your Morgan Dollars.


    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,484 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Just say no to resto

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • Woow! After seeing your coin I am beginning to really appreciate the design of this coin especially, the obverse.

    Thank you for posting it.
    Michael B.

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Buy a nice plastic slab for $1. Don't spend $25+ to have it "graded." The coin is not worth that much. Shield nickels are notorious for defective pieces - fun to collect but not worth a lot except in AU or Uncirculated conditions. :)

  • howardshowards Posts: 1,239 ✭✭✭

    That's a nice looking 1866. Reverse has a couple interesting features - multiple rim cuds, lathe lines through the stars.

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