Jesse, you're in the same boat others are when you say, "I don't know if I would know a Nickle plated one if I saw one".
I am pretty sure that I would know the difference if I seen it right in front of me, otherwise, its like one of the Supreme Court Judges, he was asked to describe pornography, he said he couldn't describe it, but he'd know if if he seen it.
It does get a little thorny though. Usually nickel is a tad less bright, kinda duller if you will, but it will shine to brilliant. And there is chromed nickel as well, so that what I mean about it ain't too clear.
Now I ain't say that because of this we should start collecting pornography because its easier to recognize. ;D ;D ;D ;D