Question About This Three Cent Nickel

I have been watching this 1882 three cent nickel on eBay. I find it odd that the 2 in the date looks quite different than the other digits in the date. So many things are faked and wondering if someone altered a 1 and made it into a 2.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221256604211?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1426.l2649

 

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Using the Red Book as a guide:

VF20 1881 is $28.00.

VF20 1882 is $180.00

I may just be the suspicious kind of guy, but there is something to be gained by changing a 1 to a 2.

 

Here is a photo of each date ....

 

Here is the original coin with the date magnified.

 

I was wondering if there are others on eBay with the same date. I found a few with a nice clear 2 and then a couple others like this one. Perhaps this is a common wear spot for some reason. What do you think?

 

Looks like die chips in the date. Nothing to worry about.

 

nah, just wear

 

More likely die deterioration which is normal.

 

It's safe. Buy it.

 

The mint had a lot of problems with that style of 2. The lower portion of the die frequently chips and you get a lot of coins sold as 1882/1 or in the case of the shield nickels 1883/2. It is a perfectly normal 1882.

 

Thanks. After looking at several others it does appear to be normal wear on this 2.

 

To follow up ... The coin sold for $160.50 plus $3 shipping.