Jefferson Nickel Collection for sale.

leothelyon

Work done by my daughter with PaintDotNet.
Coins struck from the very 1st set of hubs/dies became my Holy Grail.
$765,000 or the best offer.
lestroup@msn.com
Additional feedback. https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1008666/my-jefferson-nickel-collection/p1?new=1
Listen to Felix Schlag tell his life story.
http://www.felixschlag.com/audio/Story_Of_Jefferson_Nickel.mp3
All features are detailed on every coin! Deep hairlines, complete Monticello w/sharp window tops. end steps, everything! Clean profiles, proof-like (PL) fields. An exhaustive collection of exceptional very early-die-state (VEDS) Jefferson nickels (JNs) business strikes (BS). 100+ PL, Semi PL BS (48 shown). 22 early set dates w/6 steps. Deep mirrored, high contrast proofs.
A collection of high-quality coins, virtually mark-free with full to VEDS strikes! 700+ highly detailed coins, a 34+ year collection.
The hard element metal (nickel) made it very difficult for the US Mint to produce fully struck JNs!
https://www.pcgs.com/news/nickel-the-other-precious-metal
VEDS strike, outstanding toning, PL mirror fields, the allusive 6 steps, how nick-free Jefferson's profile is. Many spectacular coins!
250 coins displayed, 1938 to 1970. 98 coins, 1971 to 2003.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1030414/jefferson-nickel-collection-1971-to-2003/p1?new=1
1938 to 1970 PL, SPL set within, 72 +1 of 78 dates. Only the 39D, 43/2P, 46D ov, 47D, 48D, 49D, 50D, 51D, 58D, 63D are needed. Some are part of the main set.
30 PL, SPL Silver Wartime nickels; (2) 42P, (3) 42S, (3) 43P, 43/2P, (5) 43D, (3) 43S, 44P, (5) 44D, 44S, (2) 45P, (2) 45D, (2) 45S.
Perhaps the highest % of coins with full to VEDS strikes!
313 new coins, 60 photos added. See the Hard List.
The most lustrous coins are PL . Add a VEDS dish-like strike ..... the highest quality coin you can collect.
What's new? 39-P DDR, 46-P, 47-S, 55-P, 40-S. WDS 54-S,1966 BS. 69-S, and 1941-D. 02/2020 1938-D, a 2nd 39-D T2 struck w/same dies, 43-D/D. 1964-P. Colorful PL 1951-S and a SPL 1952-S. 2nd 1960-D.1951-D and a 1967 BS. 1948-D, 1949-D. Colorful PL 1939-S R38 MS65. Colorful 1940-P MS65FS. 1953-D/Inv. D Toned. Colorful AU55 1938-D. Toned 1944-P MS66. Colorful 1942 T1 proof, DDR. 1939 proof R38 Cam obv. 1961-D SEGS MS64 EDS PL 5533 QSC. 1954-D EDS FS w/lathe lines. 1949-D MS65FS EDS, toned. 1942-S MS67 with 13 bands of color. 1946-S PL. 1964-D MS66 PL. Two 1938-S's. Colorful 1939-P R40. 1938-P PL, 1947-P SPL, 1953-D PL. Six extraordinary unique coins in a 1939-P R40 FS PL, 1940-D FS PL, 1941-D FS PL, 1942-D FS PL, a 1944-S FS PL and a 1955-P FS PL. Colorful 1969-S. 1943-S PL. 1944-D PL. 1938-P. 1948-S, 1949-S. EDS 1953-S.. 1940-S PL. 1949-P, 1967 BS 3345 QSC. Colorful 1939-S R38. Colorful 1939-S R40. 1939-S R40 MS64FS. Colorful 1947-P. 1964-P. 1942-D/Inverted D?, 1965 PL BS & 1966 BS, 1968-D, 1970-D PL, New pics 1969-S and 1970-S. 1938-D, 1940-D PL, 1941-P PL, 1941-P FS, 1942-P PL Toned, 1942-S FS PL, 1943-P Toned, 1943-P Carbon spot, 1943-S PL, 1944-D FS, 1946-P FS, 1946-D 6 steps nick, 1947-P FS, 1948-P FS, 1948-D 6 Steps, 1949-P, 1949-S FS nick, 1952-D FS, 1953-P FS, 1953-D FS, 1954-P PL, 1954-P FS, 1955-P, 1956-P FS, 1956-P PL, 1956-D FS, 1957-P FS, 1957-D PL, 1959-P FS, 1959-D FS, 1960-P FS, 1963-D FS, 2 1950 proofs, 1950-P PL. 2nd 1942-D 6 PL video. 1967 SMS 5 Steps. Colorful 1941 PR. HG SPL 1943/2-P w/video. 1939-D R40 FS, PL, Colorful. 1943-P Toned. 1939-P Dbl Mont. 1943-P. 1942-P PF, 1944-P 6 steps. 1938-D Colorful. 1947-P PL T. 1970-D PL. 1958-D.

1941-D 6 PL.
https://youtu.be/V0fkCnFqkoU
Displayed; 55 ANACS, 6 NGC, 81 PCGS, 3 SEGS, and 88 Raw coins.
261 encapsulated coins in total; 114 ANACS, 19 NGC, 124 PCGS, 4 SEGS All totals within -/+3, keep losing count.

You got to have the coin to take a great photo.
How much more imaginative can you get seeking the best coin!
The quality of strike, condition, luster...whatever the steps will tell you if you can upgrade.
What's rarer than a JN with full steps? A JN with a full strike!
PL Jeff's are seldom encountered....not too concerned with how they grade.
We are the inspectors of a company's product. Does it meet your standards?
Quality/wine...gets better with time.
A seasoned collector wants all the details, continuously fine-tuning their selections!
A poor representation of an artist's works comes from worn dies.
When the strike and luster are present, how's the condition?
An (FS) coin does not have missing details!
A collection is appreciated for its consistency and quality.
Collector coins have all the details the sculptor carved/designed onto an 8 1/2" diameter round of clay/plaster.
Very-early-die-state (VEDS) details/strike sets a coin apart from coins with less details!
An HG colorful EDS coin won't always exhibit FS especially when PL. But if you can get all 5.....
Locating a VEDS example is the ultimate goal!
The most lustrous coins are PL! How does the luster compare........
The majority of coins out there don't have enough meat on them......not for me anyway!
An EDS PL piece has peak eye appeal!
Compensated steps come from worn dies.
The notorious missing step area under the 2nd pillar and strike-throughs on a coin, steps....forgiveable!
Why settle for less when far better coins exist?
_A coin w/weak hair, window details, a flat ear or cheek but yet shows steps, an FS coin it is not! _
The very hard metal/element of "nickel" used in the coin blanks (25% versus 8.33% for others) makes assembling a complete collection of fully detailed Jefferson nickels is possible! See collection!
Myth; "They're all alike with poor/soft strikes". Due to the lack of EDS examples, lower-quality coins are collected, certified, and traded.
Jeff's that have weak hair, and Monticello details usually show steps.
The absolute true definition of FS, a Jefferson nickel with full complete details!
VEDS Jeffs won't have perfect steps due to the lack of metal reaching the steps.
There's a direct correlation between a coin having steps and the stage/condition of the dies it arrived from. The degradation of a die from striking numerous coin blanks affects the steps. A working hub/die will eventually shed its sharp details upon making many working dies/coins. As one detail/area of a coin deflates another tends to balloon up. The step area is a low recess in the die, it acts like a reservoir to take up the metal that was meant for all those once-needle-sharp details, relocating to the steps to prevent excessive stress that may crack the die rendering it useless. The steps tend to be more complete as the overall strike/details become less complete.
Coins made with worn dies have fewer nicks due to not having high points of detail to get nicked up. And the compaction from worn dies on a coin blank increases making the surfaces harder preventing contact marks to occur.
A coin collection is built with consistency! When a coin has weak details, a major mark, carbon spots, or a scratch....perhaps the luster or toning is just average, it's upgradeable! The most problematic eyesore is a worn-die strike. Mint state coins not all there ought not straight grade but given a details grade! There was a time all I cared about were the steps, how short-lived that was! Today, I can't bear looking at poor strikes in a collection. High-quality coins have a full strike, few marks, and outstanding luster!
Photos of steps are not shown for every coin but they are there!
3 to 6 qualities on a single coin is rare. The main 3; 1) Full Strike, may include steps, 2) Condition, includes 3) Luster. A bonus is 4) Toning, but shouldn't interfere with the luster. But coins with 5) an Early Die State (EDS) Strike and/or 6) Prooflike (PL) fields, are the grandest of them all! And 7) Frost or a "circ cam" look, (see 1944-S, 1951-S, 1958-D, (2) 1964-D) 8) Evidence; lathe lines. It's the challenge to maintain a 3 and above quality collection!
Jefferson nickels come in a broad range of strikes, conditions, and luster. Some have toned. Upgrading involves a better strike, fewer marks, greater luster. From weak to VEDS strikes, from marky coins to mark-free, from average luster to mirror PL fields....ugly-toned coins to spectacular ones. Whatever the goal, persistence and dedication guides you to improve the quality of your collection.
A flat ear or cheek or details missing on the windows or in Jefferson's hair/profile, carbon spots, major nicks in the focal area of the profile, in the fields are low MS63/64 coins, no matter who's graded them!
Emphasis/focus should always be given to the overall strike. not only the steps. Otherwise, you'll end up with coins to upgrade!
When a coin lacks a quality, pass!
The key to building a great collection is to make certain all your coins have distinctive design features/elements! Fine tuning your selections resembling the master hubs. Pristine mint bloom luster, in itself, is rare. If Jefferson's deep hairlines are shallow or the top lines on the windows are weak or missing or the end steps are mushy, scratches or carbon spots are visible, guess what? ** You have a crappy coin!
Coins I consider, bullet strike, least marks, mint luster!
PL fields = higher luster. The most lustrous coins are PL!
A few coins have a very early die state (EDS) strike but shy of 5 steps. It's not until other details in the die are reduced from striking many planchets. The metal meant for those once needle-sharp details, end up in the steps. When I say, "Had the dies taken on a bit more wear, the steps would have been stronger", this is what I'm referring to. So, my search was for the most detailed examples with original mint state luster, not coins with mushy strikes with compensated steps.
There are many more years of searching behind many of these coins than my 34+ years, coins coming from other collections. I wouldn't've acquired such great coins without their dedication and efforts. So...it's not just my opinion on these coins! But as coin collectors have done, forming clubs, writing books.... and the Jefferson nickel is a different animal due to the high content of the very hard element of "nickel", 25% versus 8.33% for others. Its usage in coin blanks has and continues to play havoc with a serious collector's search for fully detailed, high condition, pristine coins.
Collecting by the strike, grade and steps.....maintaining a complete design......that the steps have not been compromised.....
Coins with proof-like fields arrived from fresh, first-time used dies. Later made dies had fewer/missing details so less pressure was applied to extend the life of the hub/dies. So...not all PL coins have full details nor full steps but have nice eye appeal.
The Mont. steps were the last to strike up, being a low recess in the die. It was not until the dies became seasoned enough, had taken on a bit of wear that the metal could reach/flow to that area. The reason why we see mushy details but yet, razor-sharp steps, some w/6. This makes sense! Coins with weak/missing design features but show steps, I have termed as having, "compensated steps" and the lobby is full of them!
Locating all design features with as much of their original mint luster became my ultimate goal. And yes, the condition is as important!
A complete strike gives a coin its ultimate eye appeal! All variables, the strike, condition, luster perhaps rare proof-like (PL) fields are all weighed/measured/reasoned to determine your highest quality coin. And they're not all necessarily FS. Collectors have failed to pass on a coin with missing or mushy details. They erroneously give blind pride/praise to coins with just steps. This is not how it works!
The most eye-appealing coins have the greatest amount of design features, how much of the original mint bloom luster remains. How well the coin has survived by the number and severity of defects it may have, eye appeal is based on all of these qualities combined! Toning? Hmm, now where does that fit in? Toning is corrosion and should not over-power the mint luster.
Every mint bloom coin I examine, I immediately look over the strike for weak details, for any distracting marks; spots, scratches, gouges, tarnish whether the coin deserves further observation. Planchets after 1950 were prone to numerous marks and would show on the coin.
https://www.usmint.gov/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/coin_composition_changes.jpg
The photos without borders can be gigantisized by right-clicking and selecting to open the image in a new tab.
This is not an accumulation of nickels with compensated steps!
Hard list; https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/147244/fs-jefferson-nickel-collection/p1?new=1
A 2nd set 1938 to 2003 (not complete) $41,000 omo. Not every coin would be of the highest grade. Most have complete strikes, a few with not-so-perfect or 5 steps. A 1939-PDS R38, 1953-S, 1954-S, 1960 to 1964-D. PL coins. No proof coins.

Regards Leon lestroup@msn.com

1938 PDS & 1939 PDS Rev. of 38 coins must have separation/a slight gap between the 4th and 5th steps under the 3rd pillar. This distinction/criterion is extremely rare and highly sought.

(All captions reference the coin below)

PL 1938-P To view a larger picture, right-click to open image a new tab. Applies to all black framed and Trueview pictures.
In collecting Jefferson nickels, just how much detail does one sacrifice until there are complete steps?

An amazing 4.50 steps strike.
Had the design features in the dies taken on some wear, had the overall strike been less, metal would have shifted to the steps. A genuine FS coin does not have weak details on one side and filled-out steps on the other.
How strong, full, sharp the details, how lustrous, perhaps proof-like (mark-free) a coin can get, was my goal in searching out high-quality coins.
Immaculate detail, lustrous, flawless!
Matching strikes!

ANACS MS67 5 Steps, charcoal surfaces.

Pretty PCGS AU55 Suffered from album paper burn.

Dipping a coin to remove its toning will ruin it, give it an unnatural appearance. Applying a cleanse cannot restore a coin's original skin/mint bloom. Dipping only eats up the colors. The translucent crystallization of the rust/tarnish....will remain.
It's very difficult to locate early proofs that have not been dipped/cleaned/ruined/messed with, and carbon spot-free.

6 wavy steps.

Cameo obverse. Also a DDR-018

White lustrous example. Lathe bit cutting lines on reverse 8 to 11 O'clock.

There's a myriad of ways collections are built/assembled. A matched set in the best strike, condition and steps. The strike/details must be maintained before we count the steps. Otherwise, you'll only be cheating yourself from a higher quality coin.
MS65 and up Jefferson nickels must have complete design features: deep hairlines, a well-defined Monticello portico, detailed windows, square top digits, side/end steps. All original design features/details must be present on a coin designated FS. Otherwise, the metal for those once sharp details end up in the steps.
So....ideally, a collector's coin should exhibit a very detailed strike. (if this is one's goal) This collection has given many gratifying hours/years of enjoyment, with many coins very unique in quality.
More info on collector coins.
A flawed strike, IMO, is ungradable especially when better examples are available! .
A coin made from worn dies is not a collector's coin. Working dies that stamp thousands of coins take quite a beating and it'll show on a coin!

Note the detailed steps amongst all the missing, mushy devices and the die erosion/strawberry look. A coin with weak details tend to show steps. What's a collector's coin without full design features?

Coins with missing deep hairlines, weak top of windows or end steps, missing ear detail, flat cheek are not high-quality.

Are you armed with the knowledge, skill, experience, and judgment that is necessary to masterfully distinguish high-quality "collector coins" from coins made for circulation, especially those with obvious strike anomalies/flaws?
Coins displayed w/flawed strikes/steps are for educational purposes.
EDS "early die state" strike. MDS "medium die state" strike, WDS "weak die state", there are others to describe the state of a working die. Coin blanks struck with the earliest of working hubs and dies rendered the sharpest/most complete design of Thomas Jefferson and the Monticello. But not all newly made dies have full details due to overuse of the working hub. Experienced collectors understand coins with a strike deficiency, that there's a shift in metal to the lower recesses in the die. Such coins are not collector coins and should be labeled, "Weak FS" or "Compensated steps".......well, they are collectible if that's all one can find, (just steps coins). Every coin displayed...has the best strike, condition, steps I could find them in! And this is an uncompromising collection.
Although 1939 was only the 2nd year of production, locating a fully detailed example will take patience.

The raised lines were made by a cutting lathe tool bit to create/cut the master hubs which I believe were used to make only 3 sets of master dies. The 1st 1938, 2nd 1950, the last 1960 to impress the images onto the working hubs that were used extensively in making working dies, which did the end work of stamping coins. Let's say they made a new set of Master dies for every year for 33 years 1938 to 1970 from the one set of Master hubs, does this mean wear started showing on the working dies only after the 33rd coin struck? Lathe lines led me to believe a coin has the earliest die state (EDS) strike possible. This relevance sheds light on the wavy steps. But I think wear to the Master hubs starting showing up sooner, like in 1957. So...from this theory, the population number of VEDS struck coins for each year might be only 5832 (18 working hubs/years x18 working dies x18 coins)


While colorful. the strike, condition, luster, photo could all be better. Album paper burn on obv.

This example has starburst-like die polishing where a die worker held and turned the die as he hit the outer edge/peripherals with very fine sandpaper....to create luster? What's more remarkable, this was done to both sides/dies.


4.50 steps, incredible detail for the date!

A photo is one angle view, in hand, this coin rocks!

Concentric circular raised/lathe lines...... isq=how+coins+are+made&&view=detail&mid=4DBC86B1D5C99F8470A84DBC86B1D5C99F8470A8&rvsmid=9DBF4FB84F1CE988510B9DBF4FB84F1CE988510B&FORM=VDQVAP

Colorful, fully struck, mark-free but little luster = MS64. 3 out of 4 isn't bad.

Proof-like BS coin is the closest one can get to those first-strikes preserved at a US Mint.
Note a rarely seen detail, complete left-side end steps!

Mintage; 1000 to 1500, Est.150 (likely higher) in Mint State. Anacs, NGC, and PCGS, 492 total in MS. Resubmits? Likely.
Genuine, Unc. details. Opined cleaned. Looks OK to me. IMO MS64/65 Virtual FS.


There's a strike-thru, right of 3rd pillar, extending into steps. Not a nick......to answer a ?.

The fields turn up at the rim, making it difficult to bounce light back into the camera lens to capture every ban of color.

Full steps versus nice steps.

30+ years to locate a PL 1939-D! Bullet strike and FS! Rare blues and greens. Strike-thrus rv., one on steps. Near EDS with detailed top windows and end steps. All of these qualities in an MS65 holder! I'm surprised no-one has asked.....

6 steps due to a weak ov.





Buying this coin, I asked for a "return policy". His reply, 'Once you see this coin, you won't need one". And right he was!

At the 2:20 mark of this 1938 film, see how those raised lines were created. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+coins+are+made&&view=detail&mid=4DBC86B1D5C99F8470A84DBC86B1D5C99F8470A8&rvsmid=9DBF4FB84F1CE988510B9DBF4FB84F1CE988510B&FORM=VDQVAP


Magenta, cyan, bright gold toning! Grades higher! Lathe tool bit lines thru U. S. A.

Weak hair.





Compare the PLness above to a proof coin below.


EDS, 6 steps. Strike-thrus on the cheek.



Not exactly a high-relief/optimum collector coin.

MS68+ guaranteed! Only with a 16X loupe you might see a ding or two! $15,000 or best offer plus $250 for my expenses to bring it to you. My guarantee; if you don't like/agree, I'll refund your money and be on my way.

A PL business strike seldom comes mark-free and often grades low but with a satisfying amount of EA.

PL with incredible detail and toning.



EDS. Tool lathe bit raised lines on some/segments of letters (never seen before) DDR-001 Double hub reverse EPU, USA, FIVE CENTS and reengraved EPU. Strike-thru on the cheek.

Very nice.



Located two MS examples but sold them for good reason.

The US Mint made every effort to give collectors "collector coins". But very few realize exactly what "collector coins" look like. A great deal of time went into the design of a coin using higher coining pressure to strike/stamp well-centered, fully detailed coins in the early stages of the newest working hubs and dies. Not only for our enjoyment but to preserve our nation’s history. Coin press operators would periodically inspect the dies for wear by examining the coins insuring all the details were transferred over to the coin blanks. If not, they'd make the necessary adjustments to reduce the stress on the dies, to extend the life thereof, to strike many needed coins for circulation/commerce. Coins struck with lower pressure are the "run of the mill" or 'as struck" type coins. In 2006, the term, "as struck" replaced the term, "full strike" in the A. N. A. Coin Grading Standards. Can you recognize a collector's coin?
In searching out fully struck Jefferson nickels, experience will be your only guide as to what you can reasonably expect will be your best coin. This is great advice by Bern Nagengast who authored the book, The Jefferson Nickel Analyst. I highly recommend his book which can be found on Amazon or eBay.
"Is the coin all there?", is what I'd always say and there are many coins out there that are not. I was always searching for a coin that was just as well stuck as the 1938. I would be a liar and a fool if my coins/photos didn't back up what I proclaim.....
Whenever a coin had a nick on the cheek or a weakness in a segment of the strike, I'd think my entire collection had a serious problem. Give this some thought.
Grading standards among collectors, dealers, grading companies differ widely. Locating high-grade, EDS examples for every date won't be on everyone's short-order list to complete their collections. Why is that?

In a nutshell, these are a few things I've learned over the years.
Also, the collecting of anything can be a personal thing, as no-one will care more about what you're working towards, no one will spend more time with your coins than you.

Thanks, Leo

Here's another 1942-D

Similar to the 1946-D and 1953-D /inverted D varieties. No upright bar visible.

A 2nd PL 1942-D. Don't worry, fingers alcohol cleaned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU4C8GbFdJM
A dirty 1942-P proof.
https://youtu.be/YemdDp38a6s


PL, toned, strong strike, there are not rolls of PL coins to get picky with. How does a PL coin grade anyway?


13 bands of color. Had there been less of a detailed strike, the steps would have been stronger! Far more an FS coin than.....
Every color imaginable is on this coin.


Dcam ov., Cam rv. Deep black fields and excellent contrast.


https://youtube.com/shorts/JfLM2zzic18?feature=share
FS-106 DDO

1943/2-P FS-101 SPL, Bullet strike! Strike-thru by mouth.

https://youtu.be/4c-mW9sZQX8



Dark ghost-like streaks, they appear and re-appear as the coin is tilted.
One of many coins from the Nagengast collection.




EDS, high-grade, PL, colorful FS pieces are the ultimate! 39D, 41S, 42D, this 43S not FS, 44D, 47P, 54S, 59D, 63P, 70S, 85D and a 99D.
And there are a few that aren't additionally colorful but superb they are.



Imagine the # of nickel rolls searched. Noted "a Circ. Cam".
Makes no sense to come up with a grade for this unique PL 44-S?

Had one grade MS68 6FS.

MS65 with "Out of this world" eye appeal!



Obverse is more colorful than photo shows. Very strong strike for this date.

Another, had the strike been less, the steps would have been S T R O N G E R.

A softer strike gets 6.

Five war nickels are difficult to find fully struck, 43P, 44P&S, 45P&S.




It's a matter of time before I crack it out......

A coin from the #1 PAKman Adolf Weiss.

1946-P w/6 steps, PL ov.



Was a PCGS MS64FS, cracked it, NGC said, questionable color. Ha, ha!. Strike-thrus on cheek and 6 steps. Strike is not EDS. Subtle luster. 5-6 hidden marks.

How well the fields curve up to the rim, gives us a deep dish or spoon-like effect. A very difficult quality to photograph. Gold toning with touches of lavender with nice luster. A better pic is needed.

The only nick is on the steps....destroys the way Jeffs are graded.



Initial thoughts, 'silver planchet, may explain a hammered strike.......silver being softer than nickel.



Bold, deep-dish strike prevented FS.



EDS. Peripheral lathe lines on Reverse. DDO. More colorful than pic shows.

Not fully struck, big nick on cheek. Some coins have greater eye appeal at arm's length than 5X.








Better example.

A lower grade but with nice color, luster, strike and 6 steps!


I used to think these were incused (sunk-in) die polish lines (DPL), work was done to the working hub but they are raised DPL.
Would they reuse a rv. working die from 1948 again in 1949?


Toothpick Thomas variety (My discovery?) See CoinFacts for a 2nd example.

Had the dies suffered more wear, the steps would be fuller.

1949PDS are tough dates to find with full design features.



Rare bold strike,

Only nick on the entire coin is on the steps. Rarely seen with a strong strike!


Lathe lines circumference the entire obverse. SPL
Locating EDS examples from 1944 to 1949 is difficult. Then, in 1950, the strike improves resembling that of 1938. What happened? I believe the US Mint made 3 sets of Master dies from the one set of Master hubs. And then at 10-12 year intervals, they'd start with a new set of Master dies, the first in 1938, the 2nd in 1950 and the last set, in 1960, see my 1960-P. The old Master Hubs of 1938 were retired/replaced in 1971. Strike-thru on coat/collar.




Lathe bit raised lines at 2:00 to 5:00. The prevalence of 6 steps, subtle golden luster, an EDS strike.
1000's of unc. rolls were saved of this low mintage date. ANACS certified only two 6 step ex.



Low grade.





EDS strike, mirrors, frost!


EDS, pristine 1950 to 1970 ex. are extremely difficult....



MS68FS quality?



SPL, colorful, nice steps MDS strike.


1st coin ANACS certified, MS65 5 Steps. Q2+ notes the strike and condition are nice and
perhaps the toning. Luster is subtle but natural due to an EDS strike.








Used to own an MS65FS. 2nd best in strike, grade and steps!

75+ years behind searching for an EDS 1953-S, my 34 plus 45 more of another collector.
Is there a higher-step example with this much detail out there? The coin to beat!
Only the 2nd example I've ever seen!


EDS strike, lustrous, hints of lathe lines, strike-thrus on Jefferson. Grades higher!

No perfect steps but the strike, condition and toning are nice.






An EDS or fully detailed FS example is unknown. Best in strike, grade and steps.


Same coin.

Here's one with remarkably clean surfaces.

PL Beautiful T.

A slider. Why did the steps strike up when the above examples with better overall strikes just-miss FS?



A rare white example!

Exceptional.

Tough date with or without nicks on the steps!


Slab-Renew removed the scuffs.








Very tough dates to find w/full details.



Flat ear/flaw alert!


A black beauty has PL fields.









Had a 59-P ANACS MS66 5 cross to PCGS Pop 6/0 and into a top Registry set.



PL coins seldom grade high.





Last of the 6 steppers, 22 dates, 1938 to 1970 set.

Tough stretch of 1960's dates in strike, condition, steps!
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/628044/an-analysis-of-the-1960-1967-jefferson-nickels-steps

1960-P with a nice strike.



1960-D Jefferson nickel for sale, $35,000 or best offer. A strike-thru occurs at the time a coin is struck/minted. The mark on the steps is just that, a strike-thru and not a nick. Most collectors don't have anything close in FS. An extremely rare coin to collect.



Lt. gold, lustrous with touches of lavender toning. MS66+ IMO. An exceptional rare quality piece!



PL! No flat cheek or ear. Full hair, Mont. details. Resembles 1938 Master hubs, 24 dates/23 years. Short 4 quarter steps! Had the overall details been less, the steps would have been stronger and likely would have lost its PL fields.
"Best strike, condition and steps!"

Black Beauties have PL fields. Deep dish strike. Extra light on photo.

Quarter step shy. Have others w/5 steps. Best strike, grade and steps!





A Daryl Crane coin.



With over a billion made, an excellent 1964-P.





Soft details. Late die set. PL.

For dates, 1965-1970-S, SMS, Proofs and BS coins, are all products from the same dies. And possibly a collar change. Also, the dies/steps were improved for 1967 SMS coins only, not for the BSs which raises a question......

The next 2 shed new light on how SMS dies were prepared to strike BSs..... sandpaper!
An unexpected piece!


Weak strike, die erosion in hair, not anywhere near as nice as the 1965 above, but hey, steps!

1967 PCGS MS65 QSC 3325 Strong quarter steps, add in the weak ones, 4345?

FSNC #1 PAKman Adolf Wiess declared a 1967 BS with FS does not exist.
1,000,000 yrs by an est. 28,000 coll. over the last 56 years have searched.....deep hairlines, cherry cheek, sharp window tops BUSINESS STRIKE (BS), NOT SMS. Is there a finer example!!
The small strike-thru caused that small segment of the 6th step just beneath it to appear.




SMS FS?

Stunning details due to a bullet strike! Show me a better example!

From the Bill Fivas collection. Five steps noted by ANACS. Did I mention it's PL?


Strike-thru on steps.


Another "needle in a haystack find" 1969-S in a PCGS MS64 holder with a QSC of 6646 but also with a HUGE strike-thru.


A miserable example. MS62 W/str 4333 qsc


Amazing detail for the last strike of 33 years use of the 1st set of Master hubs.


The early set ends in 1970, not 1964! 1970 was the last year/date the U. S. Mint struck coins from the 1st set of master hubs. New hubs were cut in 1971. Remember this when building your sets.

Thank you!
Leo
lestroup@msn.com

Please take notice, I don't claim that I have the greatest collection..... I do go on and on about the importance of an EDS strike on every date. With what I had to work with, I tried my best to live up to those standards.

https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/us-circulating-coins
https://www.usmint.gov/learn/production-process/die-making#:~:text=The average life of a die varies based,the final adjustments to be ready to use.

66RB

Wow Leo,I know how long it's taken you, and also how particular you are. I know those are your babies and I wish you the best of luck!

I have learned quite a bit about Jeffersons through your posts over the years, what is it you are showing us with the close ups of the rim in a few of the photos? Interested.....

Timbuk3

Very nice, I commend you on the time and effort it must have taken you to put this collection together, good luck !!!

Coinflip

Beautiful set

leothelyon

@66RB said:
Wow Leo,I know how long it's taken you, and also how particular you are. I know those are your babies and I wish you the best of luck!

I have learned quite a bit about Jeffersons through your posts over the years, what is it you are showing us with the close ups of the rim in a few of the photos? Interested.....

Thanks for the great reviews guys. In the following, ' How coins are made; https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+coins+are+made&&view=detail&mid=4DBC86B1D5C99F8470A84DBC86B1D5C99F8470A8&rvsmid=9DBF4FB84F1CE988510B9DBF4FB84F1CE988510B&FORM=VDQVAP Sadly, someone has removed access to....
Those raised lines on the rim were made by a cutting lathe bit which leads me to believe a coin has a very early die state (EDS) strike. The 1939-D Type 1, 1940-P, 1950 and 1950-D 6 steps and a few others have these tool die markings. I like to think they cut 3 sets of master dies. A set for 1938 to 1949. Another for the 1950's. And the last set for the 1960's. I have an EDS 1960 example but no lathe lines.
Also, low luster fields is another indication of an early strike. The very first few coins struck with brand new fresh dies will lack the metal flow lines that manifest luster. One can see this effect with just about every 6 step example in this set.

Leo

Mrcardsniper

Wow, What a collection, I must have spent 50 minutes looking thru your photo's. Would love to see more... Please.

bolivarshagnasty

Leo, Are you looking for offers on individual coins, or are looking to sell as a set?

leothelyon

I'm accepting offers for the entire collection and not for individual coins. My apologies. This is a special collection of fully struck to EDS coins, some 6 steppers and a few proof-like coins, a few very nice proof coins.

But don't be shy to message or email me if you have interest, I have duplicates aside from the main collection.

lonn47

nice nice, thnk you

GRANDAM

Am I reading the asking price for the whole set correctly? Two million dollars?

Raybo

PQueue

You have a "special collection" of Jefferson Nickels, a set you're asking 2,000,000 for, but you won't break it up. Your wife needs lung transplant, so you have started a gofundme for your wife, but openly tell people you won't be able to pay the donors back. Good luck.

leothelyon

Moved up into the collection.

joeykoins

Beautiful Jefferson's, dude. I admire all of your's! Love the way you show the display. So attractive and professional.

leothelyon

Here's my latest addition.

Leo

sumdunce

Very nice set. You have a great eye.

leothelyon

Pedigree: Bern Nagengast.

cladking

Incredible!!!!

I just looked at every coin in the set and thought to myself the only coin in it that isn't top notch is the '67.

Your new one is.

I haven't seen all of these in top condition BU but I've seen them all in XF to BU.

I recently sold a '70-S that was top notch and just a whisker away from being as nice as the one you have here judging by the photo.

The '67 actually comes fairly nice but getting one with a nice crisp strike and FS that doesn't have marking is tough. Some nickels seem easy but actually putting your hands on them is almost impossible. The later dates (post-'70) are easier clean and with full steps but almost all of them have planchet marking and chicken scratches.

Everyone says Ikes are the toughest moderns but I've always found solid Gem nickels are harder. FS are tough for many dates even back to the first issues when they circulated with still shiny buffalo nickels.

JWP

A real beautiful collection and only you know how much time it took to build it. Congratulations, loved looking at all your photos, and that must have been enormously time consuming. I think I'll have go back and take another tour of the photos. Thank you for this great post.

Intueor

A herculean task that was completed with pride and skill. Congratulations. I respectfully feel I should pay you just for the privilege of viewing this spectacular collection. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.

BaronVonBaugh

You have some great coins there! You might consider selling the proofs separately though.

ElKevvo

Wow...beautiful collection. And a very informative post, I took some notes! Thanks for taking the time with your listing and good luck with the sale!

K

leothelyon

Dyk, fewer than 3% (9 or 10) of the 300+ early Jeff proofs, 1938 to 1942-P in CoinFacts have the rare greens, gold and reds on both sides.

Leo

OAKSTAR

Do you have any Henning nickels?

browntrout

@leothelyon, and I thought I had done a lot of work! Wow! This is like a book! Amazing! Thank you for sharing the link. I saw other broadtruck nickels too! Sincerely, Greg.

fish1967

leothelyon

New addition.

Leo

Mistercoinman

Thanks for the great post, I put a raw bu set together and thought that was amazing but your set is overwhelming with eye candy! Thanks again for sharing.

JWP

WOW. Super Nice Collection

leothelyon

Not all freshly made working dies would show all the designer's/sculptor's original details on the first coins stamped. The last pair of working dies made from a set of working hubs would not have the finer detail of a pair of working dies that were made earlier in the life of those same working hubs.. The US Mint would spend just as much time maintaining the working hubs as they did with the working dies. So a PL example won't always have complete details.
The first working dies made from the first of early working hubs produced your very earliest of die state (VEDS) strikes on coins.
My latest addition, shows all the intended details of the sculptor's works and more.
Open my latest addition in a new tab to see all the details, some frost and many lathe lines. And the one cheek mark for a MS66 grade? Beauty is in the eye......

Comments are welcomed.
Leo