Lot 367
USA, imitation of Racketeer’s Nickel, 1883
Ancient, British & World Coins| C26002
Auction: 30 March 2026 at 10:30 GMT
Description
USA, imitation of Racketeer’s Nickel, Liberty Head, copper-nickel 5 Cents, 1883, gilt surface, variety without CENTS, Philadelphia, 4.74g (KM 111). Good Fine, gilded surface worn. The 1883 Racketeer Nickel is a Liberty Head (V) Nickel lacking the word CENTS that was gold-plated by fraudsters to resemble a $5 gold piece. These fraudulent coins were passed for $5 in commerce. The scam led the US Mint quickly adding the word CENTS to the design. The wear on this particular coin and its plain edge suggests that this is a later version of a Racketeer’s Nickel since the true and early Racketeer’s Nickels are usually in high grade, with even plating and with a reeded edge to better impersonate the gold $5 Dollar pieces. Therefore, this is most likely an imitation of an imitation and a curiosity. Sold as seen, no returns.
