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pic of messed up 1945 V nickel

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 7:55 pm
by MsDiamond
so sorry people but I am a newbie at this

Re: pic of messed up 1945 V nickel

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 4:53 am
by Bill in Burl
Copper and nickel were in short supply during the war years, as those two were used as alloys for armament and steel production. In 1944 & 45, the RCM made their nickels out of steel with a very thin coating of nickel and then an even thinner plating of chromium(.0003 mm). Exposed to normal wear and tear and chemical reactions, the platings bubbled or chipped of, leaving coins like yours. BTW, the weird design around the edges is Morse code for "We win when we work willingly" for all nickels from 1943-45, regardless whether from Tombac or plated steel.

Re: pic of messed up 1945 V nickel

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 4:58 am
by Bill in Burl
I forgot to add that the platings were applied while the metal was still in long strips. When the punches started whacking the coin blank planchettes out of the strips, the egdhes weren't plated, so rust started forming on the bare steel, essentially speeding up the gradual loss of the nickel and chrome platings.

Re: pic of messed up 1945 V nickel

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 7:18 am
by coinguy
Hafta agree with Bill on this one.
There are no errors on that coin, only Post Mint Damage which means the
damage was done after the striking of the coin.
It is only an error if it happens in the striking chamber before the coin is ejected.
Still a wartime nickel that can be kept.

Re: pic of messed up 1945 V nickel

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 9:57 am
by MsDiamond
Thanks for the info. I have had some of these old coins for 45 years.
Quite interesting with the stories surrounding these coins.
Love this website, by the way. Thanks again. Will post with more
questions.
Pat