Expert: Dan Moore - 1/15/2012

Question
Dear Sir, I found a 1985 Nickel in AU-50-53 condition.Some facts I can see noted.

1.Jefferson Eyes are (SHUT) when coin is tilted!Clearly.
2.Jefferson Eyes are (OPEN) when coin is tilted another way (no corona) BLANK EYES OPEN.
3.Underneath the Earlope part, another Lobe showing.
4.Letters seem hit(again) and thicker (ALL), even FS is clearly thicker.
5.Lower far Left Jacket area,something not suppose to be in outer line,doubling.
6.Even the Reverse is showing about the same,clearly see second strike on letter C for Cents.Building is Thicker.
Are these Signs of a DDO?
Do you think it holds any Value?

         I very recently started a bit of Treasure Searching on the Nickles,just for little Spectrum of search.

There were some Nickels (I read) accidently struck as under Mattie Proofs for Business Strikes,would you happen to know the DATES?.I also,found a Couple or three nickels for the 80's that are way to SHARP for their look...God Bless.

Beck
Kissimmee FL
PS:I am still searching for the right camera,soo many choices,recently at a Garage sale,someone offered me a Cellphone with a camera and took pictures of Penny to show me.

Answer
Beck,

More likely those are signs of a worn out die -- probably not valuable.

A cell phone camera is not going to give you the close-up pictures you need for showing double dies and other tiny irregularities on coin surfaces.  You should take a trip to a camera shop, just to talk to an expert about what you're trying to do and what equipment you will need to do it.

Good luck!

Dan