i have found 2 "V NICKLES" with a 1885 date. .?

Question

I don't know what they are though. their both 3 inches round. and weighs at 2.6 onces or 75 grams. So I don't think their real money. Does any one have any ideal what the'll be for? And any vaule on them?
Thanks
Bruce

Answer 1

What you have is a 3" reproduction of a rare Liberty Head nickel or V nickel it is sometimes called. They are sold as a novelty and I have one that is gold colored with a $20 Saint Gaudens 1907 high relief roman numeral dated coin. I bought mine at Saint Gaudens studio here in New Hampshire.The real thing sold for two million in 2005. I have see the 1877 Indian Head cent as well as the 1856 Flying Eagle cent. I guess you could call them coin coasters or use them as a paper weight. At least they are a conversation item and if you are good at spinning a yarn, you could tell someone that they are the original coins before being put through the reducing machine at the mint. There would be some truth at least a reducing lathe is real. Please don't do it though, for there are enough wild stores about coins going around as is. The sell for $5 to $10.

Answer 2

Without seeing pictures it's very difficult for anyone to give you a good answer. A lot depends on the condition of your coin.

1 - Take your coin to a other local coin dealer. It never hurts to get a second opinion. They will be able to tell you so much more by evaluation the condition of the coin. They will also know the amount minted and what it is going for in today's market.

2 - Try posting pictures on this website (there are many experts here that can help you evaluate it - there also may be people willing to buy if you are trying to sell):
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/default.asp

3 - Repost this question and include pictures. You can use websites like photobucket.com and include the link in your question.

Good luck!

P.S. Do not clean your coin as this can drastically effect the value.

Answer 3

I have a V nickle and its about the size of a new nickle. They are of some value and there was one year that a rare print or flaw made them very valuable. What you have sounds like commertive pieces. I may be wrong, so check with some coin dealers to see. I just checked mine and its dated 1910. So I would think that in 1885 they would have been the size of todays nickle. Hard to believe that a nickle would be that big compared to the silver dollar I have from 1885. Hope this helps.