So I was looking at this 1958 mint set that I have and I started feeling like I was in a "one of these things is not like the others" segment on Sesame street. There are 4 Jefferson Nickels. The one in the top right of the photo is noticeably darker than the other 3. Ive personally never had a black beauty nickel and have heatd different things on the date they pop up in. I dont want to mess with the originality and remove it from the holder either. But Im tempted...lol. So what do you guys think? Is this a Black Beauty? Is there any other way to confirm? Thanks gents!!!
To my knowlege the term black beauty only referred to the 1959 Jefferson nickel and only the 59.....later other dates were found to have the same similarities or were in deed found to have had the platchets not heated properly. But the 1959 were the first found and the term given.
Ok, so the term "Black Beauty" is reserved for a jefferson on an improperly annealed planchet but ONLY for 1959? Other examples from the late 50/60's on improperly annealed planchets (IAP) exhibiting similar dark features exist but do not carry that name, only 1959? So if I pull that nickel from the cardboard ( which im hesitant to do) and its as dark on the sides and rev, it would be safe to say its likely from a batch of IAP's from that era? But not a "black beauty"? Lol.....
By the photo I do not think it is a black beauty, it is darker, but that could be a difference in toning/storage, it is 60 years old and the dime next to it in the same package appears to have darkening near the edge also. Yes, packaging decisions ( open or not) have an argument , but only you can decide the next step . Best of luck. Jim
Here is an Improperly Annealed 2003 Illinois quarter for a comparison purpose. Whole coin is dark, but still keeping a shiny surface.
Most are for the 1959. But forget the name "Black Beauty" .. That would be more like a nickname. The proper terminology is Improperly Annealed. It is found on different years of the Nickel. IMHO
Originally yes the tern was given to 1959 nickels...research it..and as Jim stated that 60 years in a paper known to tone coins due to the sulfer content could be the reason that your 58 as well other coins in that set are dark.
I have no doupt that out there are some coins slabed with the term "black beauty" term on the slab....and yes correct there are other dates with improper annealing . However as a collector of over 50 years the term black beauty was first used on the 1959 Jefferson...only!
Of the major TPG companies I believe ANACS is the only one that uses the term on their label. Google Black Beauty ANACS and you will see many. Here is an example (not my slab)
I wasnt bein a smartass with the 1959 only post, by the way. Just trying to be specific about the matter. As we all know, the smallest detail can make a huge difference. I have done some other research online but for me, color shade being the deciding factor can be a bit tough. Pics off the net tend to be a lil different than real life sometimes...so COOL!!! Thanks for the info gentlemen!!!
I think 1959 is the most common date for this, but as Paddy shows, that 1964-D is very nice. And I have seen 1958's also.
