I am color blind I will start by saying. If the color is obvious I'm excused. Not sure what's going on here but all the edges are smooth and same color. Won't rub or come off at all. Any idea Paddyman. I know its not clad since no clad on nickels nickels are my least favorite coin.
Do you think its just from the ground or someone attempted to tone it. Its on there whatever it is. Had to ask though. Thanks
It's crazy what some people will do for a buck. I used to deal with antiques and I've seen some pretty good fakes. Anyone could fool me with coins though. I thought nickels had clad layer as well until this morning.
Something icky got stuck on it, the rest of the coin toned, then the icky stuff came off. That's my scientific analysis.
Tarnish.... looks like it was a dug coin.... I have seen nickels come out of the ground looking like that... prior contamination caused the 'blank' spot on the obverse.
A lot of early 80's nickels were struck from very worn dies and the previous explanation seems to be correct. In addition to the worn die, some dates seem to have mushy letters and weak rims. (I always thought they may have backed of the striking pressure a little as the dies got older on the weak letter/rim nickels, but that's just pet theory and I have nothing to back it up). I believe the color is unrelated to the die condition. It just suffered environmental damage.
