1961 Nickel

I went out in my back yard to test out my new metal detector. I found about 20 nails and some coins, one of them being this odd looking 1961 Nickel, and it has a reddish tint to it. I didn't really clean it, just whiped the dirt off as much as possible. Can anyone explain why a nickel would look like this? Any help is appreciated!

 

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That looks like tarnish. This nickel has been exposed to the elements for a long time. This happens because the coin has been exposed to moisture, weathering, etc. Eventually it lost it's luster. Lots of dateless Buffs have this.

 

Could be iron deposits, my soil is loaded with iron.

 

Strictly environmental damage but it's worth five cents.

 

I agree, environmental damage. Mason and Ball still make holders for those.

 

Thanks guys! If that's the case, I'll get the rest of the dirt off and hold onto it. Looks pretty neat.

 

2016 - 1961 = 55 years of circulation and lord knows how long it was buried.. I agree with Environmental Damage. I also metal Detect and have found dozens of Nickels such as yours

 

Looks to me like the coin was lost around 1968 or so. It's in surprisingly good condition for so long on the ground.

 

1968 seems reasonable! There were a lot of people throwing their money around when Nixon got elected.

Chris

 

It's just what happens to a coin while underground for a long time. My brother calls it "erosion"

 

1968? What a time.........I'll never go back.

 

Get used to it, all of the nickels you find that have been in the ground for any length of time will look like that!