Tribute to Anaconda (Part 2--Nickels)

This thread is part 2 in my tribute to Anaconda Rare Coins. Anaconda offered some of the finest rainbow toned coins in existence. In addition, their website and photos were among the finest in the Numismatic world. Part 2 will pay tribute to the Anaconda Nickels. In the first section I have listed a mint state and proof representative of each series of Nickel 5 cent pieces. These coins will be the focus of the thread and the corresponding poll. The second section of the thread will display the Anaconda Appalachian Jeffersons. Eight different Appalachian Jeffersons for your enjoyment.

In each thread I will post a group of rainbow toned coins from the same denomination. Each coin will be one of the finest toned coins I have ever seen. Following the photo, I will attempt to catalog and describe each coin shown. Although, I downloaded the photos, I did not include the TPG and grade in the file names and therefore don't know the actual grades of many of the coins. This should be interesting since we can then debate the grade of each coin. If I own any of the coins shown, I will include that information as well. I will also attach a poll with each thread so that the cointalk members can vote for their favorite toned coin of each denomination. The first group will be CENTS. All photos courtesy of Anaconda Rare Coins

NICKELS

1. 1868 Shield Nickel MS??: While this coin does not display the same flare as most of the other in the group, consider how difficult it is to find an attractively toned mint state shield nickel. A largely forgotten series in Numismatics save a few die hard collectors, vividly toned examples are all but impossible to find. This coin is delicately toned in shades of pink, peach, and mint green.
2. 1881 Proof Shield Nickel: While toned proof shield Nickels are far more prevalant than their mint state counterparts, they are in no way common. Beautiful pastel peach, lavender, sky blue, lavender, and sunshine yellow blanket both sides of this enticing coin.
3. 1911 Liberty Nickel MS??: Finding an ugly toned Liberty Nickel is easy work. This coin is a work of art. Striking deep green and lemon yellow fill the fields of the obverse while the devices are covered in intermingled magenta and violet. The reverse is a lovely shade of green.
4. 1883 (No Cents) Liberty Nickel NGC PF67: I often hesitate to remark on a proof coin's beauty without having seen it in hand. However, Brandon listed in the description of this coin that the toning was not irridescent. Imagine seeing those colors regardless of the position of the light source. I dubbed this coin the citrus Nickel. Spectacular shades of lemon yellow, tangerine, lime green, and pink grapefruit can be found throughout.
5. 1938-D Buffalo Nickel NGC MS67*: There are toned buffs and then there is this coin. Quite simply put, this is a ridiculously toned coin and no written description is even necessary. Having said that, I can tell from this photo that this coin is dripping with luster. Booming luster and ridiculous color equals monster.
6. 1937 Buffalo Nickel NGC PF67: Lime green and pink Who could ask for more on a brilliant proof. Immensely attractive and surprisingly simple, a great combination.
7. 1944-D Appalachian Toned Jefferson Nickel NGC MS67 T: Emerald green and dappled pink blanket both sides of this wondrous Nickel with the exception of some gold areas. Every time I see this coin, I fantasize that it is a one of kind gold nickel with bright green and pink toning.
8. 1963 Proof Jefferson Nickel: The last of the green and pink toned Nickels is a stunner. Blushes of teal, yellow, and cantaloupe grace the reverse in a most attractive way.

ANACONDA'S APPALACHIANS

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1. 1943-P NGC MS65: I offered a seller on E-Bay $250 for this coin and he declined my offer. A nice coin but the weakest of this group for sure.
2. 1944-P NGC MS66* Bingham Collection: I purchased this coin in April of this year. An outstanding coin from the appalachian hoard with the Bingham Collection pedigree as well. The obverse is toned is gorgeous intermingled gold and pink, while the reverse is stunningly patinated with green, pink, and gold. A few surface marks limit the grade from being an MS67.
3. 1944-D NGC MS66 T: I passed on this coin last year at a price of $750 and I am glad I did, because I was able to acquire another MS67 appalachian a few months later.
4. 1944-D NGC MS67 T: This coin has been described in the top section of the thread.
5. 1944-S NGC MS67: While not incredibly attractive, it is certainly the most original toning of the group.
6. 1945-D NGC MS67*: This description comes from the Heritage 2007 Long Beach Sale where it realized almost $1,100. Vivid magenta, violet, and reddish-orange patina covers the obverse, while the reverse has more subdued green-gold, aqua, and plum colors. A highly lustrous and suitably struck Superb Gem
7. 1945-D NGC MS67*T Bingham Collection: Another coin purchased in April of this year. This coin is from the appalachian hoard and part of the pedigreed Bingham Collection. The obverse is bathed in aquamarine and accented by antique bronze highlights. The reverse is mindblowing. Primarily gold toned with blushes of magenta and absolutely booming luster. Although the photos are excellent and provide and outstanding view of the surface and color, they can't truly represent the luster. An extraordinary piece with fantastic surfaces, great color, and the most amazing luster I have ever seen on a Jefferson nickel.
8. 1945-S NGC MS67* Bingham Collection: The last of the 3 coins purchased in April. This coin belongs hanging on a wall in the impressionist gallery at the MET. The reverse toning might as well have been imparted by Monet himself. It is certainly one of the most attractive and uniquely toned coins of the entire series. The obverse is bright gold with pink and aqua highlights. The reverse is toned with vibrant bright green, gold, pink, and magenta. A one of a kind beauty from the appalachian hoard and the pedigreed Bingham Collection.

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OK, for this set, I like the two Buffalo's, and the 1944-D and 1963 Jefferson's (from that top).
The bottom ones, well, I LOVE them all!

I picked up a set of WWII Silver Jefferson's in this commemorative-type holder, and pretty much all of them have rainbow toning. Jefferson's tone in the prettiest ways. I'd say more so than any other series of coins.

 

I liked both the 1937 Buffalo and 1963 Jefferson Nickel but choose the Buffalo over Jefferson.

 

I like the 1911 liberty.
Great green and blue tones, without being too pastel.

 

More wonderful coins. I was torn between the 1883 Liberty and the 1938 Buffalo. I went with the Liberty because I love that peach color.

 

I knew that the Buffalo would rule this group, but I find it hard to believe that with all of the Jefferson collectors here that nobody voted for the Appalachian. Very surprising indeed.

 

I'll have to go with the 1881 Proof Shield. Forgot the all of the above option in the poll LOL!

 

I chose the 1938-d buff.

Shhh, don't tell anybody, but it is thought by many that the Appalachian hoard was AT.

 

p.s. they are still pretty.

 

That is true, but you could make that case that most of these coins are AT. We just don't know. All we know is that NGC/PCGS thought they were market acceptable at the time they were graded. I don't believe that questionable toning automatically makes it bad. After all, I own 5 appalachians myself, just not the one being voted on.

 

Never said it was bad. To the contrary, I find them very attractive. But it is what it is.