Purple/Gold 1961 Nickel Proof - Naturally Toned?

I'm looking into bidding on a 1961 Jefferson nickel that is supposed to be Gem Proof and according to the seller has a naturally gold/purple toned front and back. The picture is not that clear so for this reason I need advice on 2 things:

1) If you can tell, does this coin look naturally toned or all artificial? And if it is slightly toned, does it increase its value at all?
2) The seller claims that it is a proof, which is quoted in the Official Red Book for PF-65 at $5. Right now I can get it for $1.30 w/$2.25 shipping... so $3.55 total. Does this look like a proof nickel and would the mint put it in a set in this condition?

This is the seller's official description:
"You are bidding on One (1) Naturally Beautiful GOLD/PURPLE TONED 1961 PROOF Jefferson Nickel from a Fresh US Mint Proof Set. This coin is naturally gold/purple toned front and back. No chemicals were used, ALL NATURAL. Picture does not do this coin justice. It does not show the beautiful toning because of the shadow. Special Care was used when removing this coin from the US MINT PROOF Set using cotton gloves and placed in a 2 X 2 coin holder. Your coin will be shipped in a bubble mailer."

I'm fairly new to coin collecting so I'm wondering if this would be a good investment? Thank you for your opinions! :smile

 

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Well, I don't know about the investment part... even if it doubles in value, you don't have enough to buy a six pack of Heineken around these parts ($9.08 includes tax).

 

:welcome: Windman

It is probably a reasonable price for a raw fairly common date proof nickel. Investment, I doubt you will make a lot of profit on it over the next 25 to 50 years.

I paid 7.65 & 9.95 for some slabbed (graded) 1961 Jeffersons, but I don't expect to get rich from them either.

Collect what you like, but research what will be good investments

 

Sorry I guess I should've worded it differently when I said "investment." I'm just wondering if it's valued at around the $5 book price or at least what I paid for it, that's all. Thanks jloring and McBlzr for your responses!

 

Well, to you, the buyer, it is worth exactly what you paid for it. "Book" value is usually somewhat high, so if I wanted this coin and paid $3.55 for it, well, that's the value. I have a '61 proof set and the nickel has exactly the same toning.. so my feeling is natural all the way. It's a pretty coin Windman, and if you like it, that's all that really matters. Welcome to CT!

 

I would pay $5 for a common Jefferson proof if it was nice or had nice toning or eye appeal without thinking twice...sometimes I get them at shows for a buck and sometimes I shell out more than $5 as well.

That said, the picture is horrible...small and bad lighting so you can't see the details or coloring well. It appears to be a proof though.

Do more research and only spend what you are absolutely comfortable spending for a while until you learn more about what is out there. I don't mean this to come out the wrong way, but if you are worried about having spent too much on a coin that books for $5.00 you have not done enough research yet.

Also, do not spend ANYTHING on coins without a decent quality picture...because even though we're not talking about a large sum of money here, it will irritate you if you get the coin and its not what the description said...and it won't be worth the time and money to return it. SO you'll be outta the $5 that you could have put towards a coin with a better picture that you'd be more sure and comfortable about. Remember this...a picture is worth a thousand words...

Collect what you like, and don't do it because you want it to be an investment. There will be some coins that appreciate in value, yes. But you will find over time that you will probably lose money by paying too much for a coin...but gladly, because it is a coin you like and want to admire in your collection, not because it is an "investment".

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions on this forum. There are great people here, and some awesome Jefferson and toned coin experts like Lehigh, Gbroke, Morgandude, and others. Good luck!

 

A decent picture is one where you will be able to see the details and color fairly well...something like this..






I'm no picture expert, but this is adequate, and accurately displays what the coin looks like in hand. Granted, this is not a proof, and proofs are more difficult to photograph because the luster makes it tough to get without reflections on the coin. But the pic needs to be better than the one you were using to but from.

 

Thanks, well said guys. I'm not worrying that I spent too much lol but because I'm unfamiliar with the toning circumstances I just wanted to find more info about it. I appreciate all the help.

 

Another thing you can try is to look at the completed auction listings for the coin you are looking to buy. That will give you a better idea of what similar coins are going for. In particular, look for coins within a close grade range.

 

In the past few months I have been picking up raw & slabbed Proof Jeffersons for fun. I even bought this Capital Holder to put some of the raw ones in.

 

They are great coins to collect...Jeffersons in the 40's-70s are some of the most beautifully toned coins you will come across...both business strikes and proofs.

 

Where did you get the proof holder at? I'd like to get something similar as I've been collecting toned proofs as well. Picking up most for super low money.

 

rev1774,

I found it on eBay for $18.50 :yes:

 

Nice pickup..

 

Nice collection McBlzr. And I looked on the completed listings for ebay and for similar ones it seems like they went for around what I'm paying and in most cases even higher. So I guess I'm pretty happy with my choice :yes:

 

:thumb:

 

You may want to check with a local B&M, especially if you have interest in these late silver-era PR nickels or cents. A lot of PR sets were scrapped in the run on silver, plus certain B&Ms were already often overstocked on such coins. Either way it would not surprise me if you could find the same, or even a much nicer coin for a fraction of what you paid. Also, "GEM" proof does not mean much with a date such as this as they really are norm. This too is a good example of when redbook values have little basis in reality.

Not that there is anything wrong with your coin (as I cannot tell anything from the photo). My only point is that you most likely could have saved money by buying elsewhere. That said, for $3.50, if you enjoy it this is all that matters.