Just got a 1883 v nickel with cents and a uncirculated wheat cent

You did ok. Even the cent. These as you know were made out of zinc plated steel but what most don't know is the steel was plated in the sheet. So when the blank was punched out, there was no zinc on the edges. Most all uncirculated ones show a darker oxidation on the edges.

 

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O that men's ears should be to counsel deaf but not to flattery!

 

Yes they are zinc plated steel. It's been plated as stated. Hard to tell if it wasn't.

 

So if it's been plated. What would it look like if it wasn't plated?

 

Too me a little while too. I've been wanting it. I checked it off my want list. It didn't matter about condition to me.

 

If it were that lustrous and original, the fields would have "flow lines" in the fields (from the metal being squeezed into the die crevices), and cartwheel luster. Your coin has a dull, even "shine" to it, indicating plating. Also, the wheat lines are worn quite well. A coin with such wear shouldn't have this much luster.

 

So the original fields of this coin had alot of wear ?

 

Yes. Dipping and replating is a common alteration on 1943 cents to pass them off as higher grade examples.

 

Look at the bust of Lincoln and the left wheat stalk. Both show considerable "rub".

 

here is a couple of more photos without the flip

 

I see less rub on the wheat stalk, however, I think this was likely an AU coin that was replated. The reason I say this is the fields are dull and "smooth", and don't radiate luster. There is less wear than I thought, but those fields don't lie. Another thing- don't mistake me trying to pass on information as knocking your coins. I would rather pass information onto you to make you a more discerning and knowledgeable collector rather than stroke your ego and tell you what you want to hear. There's a learning curve to Numismatics; mistakes are going to be made, and you need to learn from them. No shame in that at all.

 

As I stated in my previous post, the rims should not look the same as the fields on an original coin. The rims wouldn't be plated on an original coin. Your's are.

 

Oh know I wasn't thinking that. It's making me more aware before I buy. I'm glad you are telling me. I want to hear it. Its all in the learning. Just showing the coin without the flip shows better details.

 

I'm not saying it's not plated though.

 

I know you aren't, I was just trying to show you how to easily tell that it was plated by someone after it left the mint.

 

Lol yes I didn't know that until you told me in your other post. Thanks for telling me what to look for.

 

Probably have a little rust on it.

 

Regardless of the type of coin you are considering purchasing just remember to look at the high places on the coin, obverse and reverse. The high spots always wear first. Hair, cheek bones, Eagles feathers, etc. You can easily learn this by looking at your daily change.

Shrews, in the short time you have been a member here on CT you have grown a lot. Your knowledge has increased, you're correctly answering threads and your passion for the hobby has also grown. You have a desire and that will be an asset to you as you continue.

Collecting Nut

 

That coin looks great to me. I have quite a few and a couple seem to be plated. But, since I was born in 1943, I can't see anything wrong with any of them.

 

Oh and I forgot to say.. that there was a warlock there selling home made wooden ouija board's and using pendulums and hold it above the board ask it a question like a yes or no question. It would slightly move that area. Every one I asked was right. Really crazy cool though. He was a US MARINES. And a warlock. And there was a witch there too....