Magnificent Manganese

The World War II composition of the Jefferson Nickel is 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese. This alloy has produced some incredibly toned pieces over the years. Many of these toned coins bear resemblance to a typical toned silver coin. However, others bear a toning pattern and color scheme that is unique to this alloy. A hazy conglomeration of iridescent blue & green that seem to dance over lustrous surfaces when rotated under a light. I have never seen this toning pattern on any coin other than a war nickel. Without further ado, I present the quintessential toned war nickel.




Cobalt blue swirls with lime green under a blanket of milky tan in a very powerful fashion. Although beauty is debatable, the coin's presence is not. Sure to please some and nauseate others, the toning pattern stands alone in the coin world.

 

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I think that you've been reading too many auction descriptions.

 

p.s. neat coin & thanks for sharing.

 

Is it me or are you working for that TV station that sells stuff. Actually I've heard descriptions like that when by accident I turned on one of those knitting or sewing programs. Then too there is this guy that has a painting program that talks like that. He too is stuck on Cobalt Blue.
I may be wrong but are you a female. Most guys I know say just blue, tan, etc. If I point at something and say it's blue, my wife always has to come up with No, it's baby blue or sky blue, etc.
All just kidding you know. That is a really nice coin.

 

Thats funny...

 

yes, funny description.. but also yes, stunning coin!

 

I, for one, like this stunning 1942-S Nickel including its toning...

Clinker

 

Nice toning

 

Very awesome coin Lehigh!
I think it's a great addition to your collection. How much of a premium above numismedia would this bring? On average?

 

I paid $61 for this one which is only $17 over wholesale. It is a dramatic toning pattern, but one that is not appreciated by all collectors. Here is a raw one that I own.



:thumb:

 

That toning is amazing, I have never seen anything like it. I wonder if it is indeed due to the Manganese (a metal I know very little about) or if it is more due to the unusual coin alloy containing 56% copper and 35% silver...both metals which are well known for toning.

 

I will honestly answer, I don't know. I have seen 90% silver 10% copper tone, but not like that. I have seen 75% silver 25% copper tone, but not like that. I have seen 95% copper 5% tin & zinc tone, but not like that. I don't attribute the toning to the manganese specifically, more to the alloy itself. Here are some more raw ones for ya!





Collecting toned coins is so much fun!

 

Here is a photo of a sample of spiegeleisen, a 15% manganese iron mixture. Also manganese oxides have been used as coloring in ceramics and glass making for centuries. Amethyst and rhodochrosite color comes from manganese in crystal formations.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Spiegeleisen.jpg/800px-Spiegeleisen.jpg

Jim

 

I absolutely love your posts Jim. That is as cool as the other side of the pillow and manganese rocks.:thumb:

 

Do you collect only nickles?

 

No, I started out just collecting anything rainbow toned. I moved into rainbow Morgans, then onto a rainbow type set, and have landed collecting Jefferson Nickels and Peace Dollars.

 

Thats cool man!! I was heavy in to collecting Morgans for a long
Time but then wound up doing Military Payment a large jump!!

 

Oh, Just wanted to ask a question on the "Carson City" Morgans
If you know, If there,s any die errors out there??

 

It is never a bad idea to practice something that might be useful in the future. My current profession is not the most stable.