The E-Sylum:  Volume 5, Number 13, March 24, 2002, Article 9

REED'S REEDED NICKELS

  In response to Rich Crosby's question, Dave Lange writes:
  "An example of Reed's reeded nickel is illustrated on page
  56 of my book, "The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels",
  Second Edition. The edge is clearly visible.

  I've seen a number of these coins, and I've noticed that the
  reeding is not always the same.  A few have much finer reeding
  than on the example illustrated.  This suggests to me that
  additional pieces have been made to sell as novelties.  For that
  reason, I don't advocate paying a significant premium for any
  example that isn't traceable back to the 1941 ANA Convention.
  Even then, its value is based on its memorabilia interest.  Such
  coins have no numismatic value.

  The piece illustrated in my book is, I believe, one of the 1941
  originals and has rather broad reeding. In case anyone didn't
  get it, Reed had these coins REEDed as a play on his name."

  NBS Board member and past President P. Scott Rubin adds:
  "I bought a set of these many years ago (1971 I think) from
  Sydney Smith and Son in Miami.  ANACS found out about
  this set which was believed to be one bought from Ira Reed
  in 1941.  They asked to examine the set and issue me a
  certificate of authenticity for the it.  They returned the set
  with a statement that the reeding did not appear to be a
  mint product.  Yet a few years later they did issue certificates
  for these coins for a short period of time.  I sold the set some
  years ago.  They seem to be collectible as a novelty item."

  [When I mentioned the Ira Reed coins to John Burns, he
  seemed to recall reading somewhere that there were also
  1937 cents with similar edge reeding - does this ring a
  bell with anyone?  -Editor]
.

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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