First things first. This is a photo of the pattern (Judd-1315) that you are talking about. Is this what your coin looks like? Secondly, I don't understand why you need to pay $100 to have the coin graded. You can submit the coin through the regular service and save money. Everyone of these coins were proof coins. Now if you have an impaired (circulated) proof, it certainly would diminish the proof like qualities of the coin, but as you have stated, you can still see the mirrors on your coin. According to Heritage auction archives, even the worst graded example (PR25) brought a $1600 price tag in 2005. Here is a link to the auction listing. http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=398&Lot_No=1036 I wouldn't worry about your coin being worth $200 unless that is what people pay for the replicas. If it is real, it is worth well over $1000.
It's off thread but you can re-post with a photo in U.S. coin forum. All true 1913 Lib. Nickles have known die markers because they have been studied to death. I don't know them off hand because I never needed to know them but I'm sure they are online some place.
Bless your heart this is the coin. Everything is identical. The lettering is the same, date is the same, the rim is the same, the only thing that is missing is the dot at the end of America, Graines, and Fine, I don't have that dot, I doubt it is a die variation but I wouldn't know because this is not exactly a very popular coin. I am going to get it slabbed anyways.. Thanks a million.
Coins are subject to supply and demand influences. Rarity is useful, but if there's no market, then the price won't be high, no matter how rare. I noticed there was NOTHING to indicate the grade , condition or authenticity of your coin so I would be highly skeptical as a potential purchaser. The fact that you contacted a replica producer makes me HIGHLY suspicious regarding it's authenticity, even without seeing the coin. OK. I see you call it PF45 in a later post. Buyers on EBay were probably as skeptical of it's authenticity as I am. Also, rarity scales are not about mint production. They are estimates of surviving examples which are normally 2% - 5% of mintage. This said, I hope you actually have what you think you have.
I read the above, but didn't see the edge of your coin mentioned. I am assuming that since you said J -1315, it has a reeded edge rather than the J-1316 which has a plain edge. I do wish the best for you, but with only about 200 minted in all 4 metals ( 1315-1319) , the need for a different die with no periods would be surprising. Jim
Yes Jim, you are right it is reeded edge, I don't have a scale to measure it's weight because currently I'm overseas. But the diameter verfies. I am as suspicious as you are about the coin being real but what is weired the stars around the obverse is crisp. It looks very well struck. I am going with the thought that it is a counterfeit but it wont hurt to send it to NGC for a second opinion. Thanks a million Matt
I doubt this was a practical joke. Go ahead and get it graded. It will be a "sweet heart" regardless. Nice story on the coin, but an even nicer story about your soldier. You must be pretty special. Thank you for your service.