1964 U.S Nickel Rainbow Toning, Proof, Real or Fake?

I bought this coin on ebay, I am not sure if the is actually real or not. Its almost to good to be true. It is supposedly a proof nickel. The seller never said anything about the toning and it didnt looked toned in the sellers photo. This coin is almost perfect MS68 I would say. The rim of the coin is very sharp, almost sharp enough to cut something. On the edge of the coin there is a green color to it but only on half of the edge. (see pic) I thought that was very odd. I just would like to know if this coin is fake toned or fake all together? or if its real? and of course how much its worth. Thank you!

 

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It's a proof Jefferson nickel. These can take on nice pastel colors as yours shows. They are not graded using MS designations, but rather with PR or PF (depending on who grades the coin) designations. If that is an image of you holding the coin then you should be aware that it should not be held so that the fingers are in contact with the obverse and reverse. This is especially true for proof coins as it is so easy to leave a fingerprint on the coin and sometimes those prints take a while to show themselves.

 

Less now that there's fingerprints on it

 

The early 60's proof Jefferson nickels are notorious for lots of toning.
However, I will say that the toning patterns and color on your coin are unlike any I have seen from other proofs of the same era. That doesn't mean it isn't natural, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Here are some examples of common colors.

 

Can someone please make a large sticky on the front page of this forum that says READ BEFORE HOLDING COINS

nice coin btw

 

edited Also, did anyone ever tell you to NOT TOUCH A :COIN'S OBV/REV?!?!
edited

 

Just Kidding.

 

Except for the fact that a newbie ruined it.

 

Well, I hate to just repeat the last 8 posts, but that's a terrible way to handle proof coins. The toning would have been great, except now it's impaired.

Bummer.

 

It is a proof and the toning pattern is pretty common.

 

Over time the prints are going to start showing. You can't put your fingers on proofs. Give it a bath in acetone and give it a fresh holder. Time will tell. Nice looking coin. Hope it stays that way.

 

Pretty coin. I won't pretend it resembles the OP's though.
Lately I have been seeing a large influx of toned 60's proofs from notorious doctors, all light pastels. They are getting very good at it.

 

Maybe his looks more like this:



This was raw straight from a proof set.

 

Thanks for the information everyone! and These are not my pictures, I took these off of the ebay auction. The coin is in a case with NO finger prints! So they must have took the prints off. Now nobody said anything about its worth? anyone know how much this coin would go for? Thanks again!

 

Fair enough.

Well, a value is hard to give. Generally, raw colorful Jefferson proofs will sell between $3-$20. It all depends if anyone is fighting over it and how good the images are in the ad.

 

Yeah I guess that is true for everything on ebay! Haha. Thank you

 

More often than not, you can't see fresh prints. They tend to manifest themselves over time and then it's too late. Rinse the coin with acetone ASAP or possibly see a big, nasty print someday.

 

Ive never done that before. The acetone wont take off the rainbow colors? I was told to never try and clean a toned coin. Thanks for the information!

 

Here is what I have learned through experience.

Usually toning will not be removed from a coin by being soaked in acetone.
However, if the toning is present due to some sort of foreign substance on the coin, it will be removed.

For example, I had a nice looking toned cent that needed an acetone swim due to some other debris on the coin. The toning was removed. That's because the toning was actually being caused by an oil or some other substance.
If the toning is actually on the surface of the coin itself, it will not be removed.

Now, "dipping" a coin will immediately remove real toning. Dipping is not done in acetone and actually removes surface layers from the coin.

 

A rinse in acetone will simply remove extraneous oils and other crud from the surface of the coin, it will not (at least it should not) affect the metal and toning. Do not wipe the coin or rub it. Simply put it in some type of glass dish and swirl the acetone over the coin. There will be no hairlines imparted on the coin and it will not be considered to have been cleaned. Please also be aware that acetone is extremely volatile and flammable and use it only in a well-ventilated area free from all sparks, flames or other sources of ignition.