I found this nickel about 20 years ago and put it in my jewelry box, not thinking much about it until I pulled it out the other day. Does anyone know how to tell if this is really a one sided nickel or if someone ground the back off? And would it have any value?
First, welcome to the neighborhood, Elicia! You'll have to forgive @V. Kurt Bellman and @dwhiz . You see, we get questions similar to yours on a regular basis and sometimes the stress of daily life is more than some of us can handle. It was just their turn to crack in the daily scheme of things. Your coin was damaged AFTER it left the Mint. Chris
What makes you think it's anything other than an authentic 1903 nickel with the reverse ground down? Because that's what I think it is.
Just a guess because I can't imagine why anyone would waste a perfectly good coin like this with nice obverse details. Probably real though and someone playing with a Dremel.
Somebody used a grinder to grind off the reverse design (the partial circular lap marks are a dead give away). It was probably done a long time ago as the obverse (front) is pretty high grade. Unfortunately it's worth 5c, maybe a little more as a novelty.
It sure is a shame someone ruined such a nice looking coin. Dealers will not offer much if anything for your defaced coin.
I prefer to think of it as merely an unfinished love token. The star-crossed lover had finished grinding off the reverse, picked up the engraving tool, and it slipped. He nicked a crucial artery and bled out with his beloved's name on his lips. NOW how much would you pay? Hey, if auction companies can write silly junk in catalogs, who's to say I can't here?
