This was given to me by a very nice gent who appreciates some one that collects coins, so it would have a good home
Yes, halfway threw that year the mint put 'CENTS' where you see E PLURBIS UNIM. This is because people would take these 5 cent pieces and gold plate them and pass them off as gold $5 pieces. This is what you have. It is called a "racketeer nickel". I am not sure as to if yours is authentically plated or one that someone plated recently to get more value out of the coin but i'm sure someone will come along and tell you.
the rest of the story I was showed this by the previous owner and told him I am sure this is a nickel because of the no "cents" but just to let him know I opened my coin manage program and pulled the 5 dollar gold picture up and showed him the size is wrong and the reverse is different , then I pulled the V nickel and you should have seen the look in his face..... he did not say much but muttered something about putting it some where no one but his doctor could find it. and donated it to me ...cause I showed him a few of my other fake / forgeries that I ended up with.... he said find out what it is worth and keep it along with my other collections.....and thanked me for the lesson learned. ...... so beware they are lerking every where.
here are some pictures and a description as well: www.usmoneyfacts.com/racketeer.html but hey, it's a neat thing to have, and it's collectible - assuming it's not modern plating. not all the racketeer nickels were reeded - it's not like people saw 5$ gold pieces everyday.
Forgot all about that smooth edge , :headbang:that's why I'm so great at detecting counterfeits:whistle:.JK Rusty
A dead giveaway is when you have a well-circulated coin with gold plating on top of the wear. Also, a gold-plated nickel dated later than 1883 is probably not the genuine article.