Not sure if it's common to have no cents written but I found one on this 1902 nickel. If its not common, then I am thinking it may have been caused from a grease fill die or a fake. Please explain why "Cents" would not be on this nickel. Thanks
1883 I know the 1883 was not uncommon to find with no cents. I have yet to find a reference to any 1902's with no cent.
Strange toning! Could be that this nickel was once gold plated in order to deceive people into thinking it was a genuine gold coin. I believe that is the reason the added they word cents on later issues.
I was thinking that. Just nervous, since I didnt really want to do that to a coin. But what the heck it was 2 bucks.
If the coin was altered for the purpose of passing for a $5.00 gold piece - it's worth more as is - it's part of the coin's history. I wouldn't clean it.
I don't know... anything's possible... doesn't seem like there's much gain in striking fakes for that year.
It's Not Not a fake, someone doctored the coin and took out the word "CENT". You can see little divits (sp?) and you can tell where the person tried to cover up their work.
Hi, You guys hit upon the right solution. I magnified the image and lightened it so I could see it. The word CENTS was machined off. That is why there is only half a dot on the right and no dot to the left of cents. Whoever did this was not as careful as they should have been when removing that portion of the coin. Essentially it is interesting but worthless. The real "Racketeer" nickels , as they were called were the 1883 NO CENTS nickels that were made by the Mint that were then gold palted. Anything else is a feeble attempt to reproduce a racketeer nickel out of a cheaper common date coin. I have seen these before. For $2.00 you got a fun conversation piece so it is not that bad in the overall scheme of things It is important to note that a worn 1883 NO CENT nickel that was plated is also a reproduction as genuine "Racketeer" nickel coins were gold plated by scammers before they were worn much Have Fun, Bill