I picked up this nicer grade shield nickel today on my day off. I'd been eyeballing it for a few weeks, and when it hadn't left the store I decided maybe I should make an offer on it. Well I did and lo and behold instant sale. YES! I got it home to take pics to show off the four die breaks in the obverse, I love those for some reason and I noticed what appears to be some doubling. Now whether or not it is legitimate doubling or just machine doubling I can't really say. I was hoping for a few expert opinions on the doubling. As for the grade I'm calling it an XF-45 since it seems to be stuck in between XF/AU what with it still having good mint luster but some wear on the stars and numeral on the reverse. Any thoughts?
I really like the die cracks. They are a favorite of mine. [Text deleted by poster.] Since the die breaks are rather extensive I tend toward mechanical doubling rather than RPD. During the strike the different pieces could have been moving around. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EDIT: D'oh! My Bad. Nothing like trying to type a Shield nickel with the 2-cent guide.
I also like the die cracks. I think it is mechanical doubling on the date (looks like a shadow), but still cool. Looks like a 63 to me! Very nice!
It looks like a repunched date to me. The reverse looks like Cherrypickers FS# 5¢-002.99 Variety 5.5 I think you got a great deal.
Nice coin no matter what. I think it could be the 2.98 or 2.99 reverse - either way it is a very interesting coin. Maybe Ed Fletcher will stop by.
Regardless of the repunched date or reverse, I bought it as a higher grade example for my type set. It replaced an 1882 in Fine that I've had there for a couple years as I'm trying to go all better date, higher grade coins in my type set.
Congrats, bq. That's a nice Shield Nickel. I really like that series. The 1868 is known for several varieties of broken letters on the reverse. (Yours does not appear be have broken letters.) I also like those die cracks - very, very common on Shield Nickels.
