Recently acquired a collection of mostly errors that I’ll be liquidating. This 1883 Nickel is one of my favorites. Matching split planchet. Only similar coins found are much newer. Any ideas what this is worth? Should I have it graded?
I have mixed thoughts about it. The split planchet looks great! The coin itself looks cleaned, damaged/detailed. Not sure how significant a split planchet on this coin is but I like it !
Looks intentional to me, if that is possible. Notice how the rims are not natural, rounded and distorted?
I don't know. Also, look at the crack or lamination going from 3 up through two of the stars. Looks like it has taken a lot of pressure.
Is that a trace of gold color on the surface? Could it have been gold plated and then someone tried to reclaim the gold? 1883 No Cents.
The crack I assumed was a result of whatever caused the split. The collection has many splitting, split and clamshell coins, which had me wondering if these could be split somehow. Although, I believe it would be near possibly unless they were already on their way. Definitely chewed up. Some of which looks like defects actually. An interesting one for sure.
I am posting photos of my split planchet Jefferson War Nickel. There are graded by ANACS. While you can see the edge itself you can compare the inside of the split and the rims to your coin. If it's a natural split you should know since you have the coin in hand. I can't tell from your photos but you should be able to see a mirror image of the coins design on the inside of the split. Please note that ANACS referenced each piece to the other. It has been mated as a matched set.
They fit together almost seamlessly with no indication of forced separation or pry marks. That being said, I’m not seeing a strong mirror. Are you aware of a way these can be split or separated unnaturally? I thought the seemingly natural striations would be enough to prove this.
No I am not but where there is a will there is a way so I would think that forcing a split is possible but I think it would look different. I am concerned about the rim damage on your coin.
As to value... there is a Lib Nickel pair for sale on fleaBay in ANACS (yellow) plastic. I've been watching it for a year, started offered at $450, it's now down to $360. So far no takers. So, it's worth less than $360 and the "comp" is authenticated. PS: Another seller has one of the Lib Nickel halves (no clue where the other piece is), raw, that's been out there for six months or so offered at around $60.
If the split was related to gold plating and reclamation, and it could be proven, you might have something here. It has been cleaned, but I see no signs of abrasion. It looks more like an acid cleaning. Just a thought.
I agree it’s been cleaned somehow at some point, but luckily no hairlines. Nothing caught my attention for any acid cleaning either. I didn’t even know that was a thing. Could you share where you saw this so I can understand better? Always eager to learn. As a bonus, here’s another split Buffalo Obverse that looks like it had a little assistance. I’m guessing a vice and some kind of a blade to free the remaining attached portion.
I was only offering a possible cause like everyone else here. The surface looks too white. There are no abrasion lines and it was cleaned somehow.
