error nickel??? What's up with the pink polka-dot??

[RI AL]

Good evening, "guys"...and ladies of course.

 

I have a 5 cent piece that has been kicking around for a while. I am not into errors but am curious if anyone out there can "diagnose" this coin. I'm not sure about policy regarding

posting pictures, so please excuse me if I am violating policy. Still kinda' new here. I"m not even sure I loaded the picture right. It's SO much fun being a computer TOMATO!!

 

Anyway, there are no raised or sunken surfaces nor can I detect any sign of a chemical being used. Since the nickels aren't "sandwich coins", I guess that rules out lamination errors.

 

Sure would appreciate your help with this one.

 

By the way, for those of you who helped me in my search for a couple of coin reference books, many thanks. Success with the first one on large cents.

 

Hope all of you are well.

 

RI AL

 

[Hoot]

Possibly an alloy error. If so, it's a rather dramatic example of poor alloy mixture.

 

Hoot

[doug6078-migration]

I would have to agree with Hoot

[RI AL]

Hoot and Doug.

 

Alloy error, huh? Well, I've never heard of THAT one before. Anyway, many thanks. Mystery solved. Do people collect this stuff and is it worthy of a slab?

 

RI AL

[physics-fan3.14]

It could also be something called a "copper wash." I am not entirely sure what this is, but I have seen pictures and it gives a similar appearance.

[rons]

Send it to PCGS for grading and see if they can identify what kind of kool aid it is. My guess is strawberry mango

[Hoot]

Do people collect this stuff and is it worthy of a slab?

 

RI AL

 

Some people collect this kind of error. It's only worth slabbing if you want the error pointed out by a grading service and for the sake of your collecting style or that of another collector. I've not seen such a dramatic alloy mix error on a nickel before. So, in the case of your nickel, it might be worthwhile having the coin slabbed (which might be appealing to an error specialist), but I would not count on any significant premium for it in sale.

 

Just as a note about copper wash: Most copper wash errors involve at least the entire side of a coin, but most often two sides. Sintering errors from annealing are similar.

 

Hoot

[RI AL]

Heck...I can do THAT...I'll LICK the sucker!! Mmmmmmm..I think it's watermelon tomato cherry supreme.

 

RI AL

[RI AL]

Hoot...

 

Thanks. No, I certainly wasn't expecting to finance a newly-retired home on the south coast of France (I'M retired...not the house)...and I already collect so many areas....may as well start another.

 

Maybe I'll use one of my 5 freebies from NGC. Maybe THEY can tell me what flavor Kool-Aid is on it....:>)

 

RI AL