Best of luck with the cancer!!!! Black Beauties are coins that have been toning for too long. We are NOT talking about a coin that has been buried in the dirt etc. OR annealing processes. As the toning progression goes along, not exactly from light to dark, see chart, the second from last stage is where the toning has become fully black, but the underlying luster still "shines" through. This is the Black Beauty stage. I do not have one to show you a picture of, but they can be quite attractive as they are a glossy black. The most common ones that I have seen are Morgans.
Isn’t there more to it than that for those in particular though? I remembered incorrectly as it was more than just 1958 but I’ve seen ANACS slabs that say black beauty on them as a designation.
Black beauty nickels are improperly annealed. I don't know what Skyman is talking about. "1958 Jefferson Nickel - Improperly Annealed - "Black Beauty" - Certified" The distinctive black finish comes from an improperly handled annealing process. Annealing is the process of heating the planchet to ready it for striking. The planchets are then placed in a large furnace warmed by gas heaters to "relax" the metal. They are then passed through a washing solution to remove tarnish, which gives the planchets (coins) the familiar "BU" (Brilliant Uncirculated) finish.
One interesting variety that can add some value is what is known as the “black beauty” nickel. These nickels are the result of improper annealment, the process by which planchets are heated to prepare them for striking. It seems these nickels were left in the furnace a bit too long, producing a darker color that can range from gunmetal gray to jet black. Improper annealment can be found in all denominations, but 1959 nickels are particularly known for this error. Black beauties do not differentiate themselves much in terms of value unless they are in higher grades, where they can be worth a bit more due to their unique error.
If you have seen genuine examples of black beauties, you can use the search box here, then yours is most likely just ED. The rim, is the edge of the coin. Photo the edge and show that.
I looked at my book of nickels and now I'm more confused lol A couple of pics to follow feedback welcome . Sry it ended upside down. Now these two pages next are the ones that completely confused me after listening to everyone...
As you can see in post #29 the rim is the same dark color of the coin. This doesn't happen in Black beauties.
Well I did also warn everybody that I couldn't see very well I thought it looked silver on what must be an edge if thats not the rim. I guess it did need a name lol I just called it the outside of nickel lol. Dont know all the proper names of coins yet, by the end of the day I'm cross-eyed from having to reading stuff throughout the day. Thank you for the information. Those two pages of nickels I posted didn't help my confusion though, ataleast I'm not confused on my initial post. 1 down 60+ to go giggle. some are shiny some are dull if nothing else a few have definite toning. I hope lol, if not they are still pretty.
Update Im waiting on a camera that connects to phone so I can see coins better and give better views of coins posted. Suppose to be here today soooo excited.
All I know is someone using ur name asked me how to post a pic or something and it must've went to ur email I dont know. I only post on coin talk...