What is the proper classification for the 1913 nickels?

[Zoins]

If the 1913 nickels were never officially produced (and are not legal tender) what would you call them? Are they "test pieces" of some sort? Fantasy coins? So-called nickels?

[Dcoin]

I guess we could just call them "Counterfeit"

 

 

Dcoin

[gmarguli]

Glorified Monopoly money.

[TomB]

Piece de caprice.

[Prethen]

"Modern Counterfeit *Kr@p*"

[Hoot]

Sanctioned fantasy pieces. These coins were made within the walls of the Mint, illegally contrived, minted, and released, but sanctioned over time by complacency of the Secret Service. They are a bit akin to the many fantasy and trial pieces of the 1800s, countless of which were "made to order" at the whim of a collector and in cahoots with select Mint personnel. There are no Mint records for many of these pieces, and the 1913 nickels fit in with them rather comfortably. The fame of the 1913 nickels is what sets them apart, and it's derived from their peculiar and unique release and dissemination history.

 

Hoot

[DC Dawg]

A slug??