Home Buy, Sell, & Trade - U.S. Coins

Jefferson Nickel Collection for sale.

leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,349 ✭✭✭✭✭


Work done by my daughter with PaintDotNet.
1st set of dies, 1st coins struck 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
Click on the link below to hear Felix Schlag tell his life story.
http://www.felixschlag.com/audio/Story_Of_Jefferson_Nickel.mp3
All distinctive design elements are featured on every coin! Deep hairlines, fully detailed Monticello w/sharp window tops, everything you'd expect on a Jefferson Nickel is on display. Many with clean profiles and others with prooflike (PL) fields. An exhaustive collection of exceptional early-die-state (EDS) Jefferson nickels (JNs) business strike (BS) 100+ quality proof-like (PL, Semi PL) business strikes (48 shown). 22 early set dates w/6 steps. Deep mirror, high contrast proofs.
A collection of high-quality coins some with virtually markfree with full to VEDS strikes! 700+ highly detailed coins in a single setting, a 34 year collection.
Whether it's an EDS strike, outstanding colors, reflective mirror fields or the allusive 6 full steps, just about every coin has something special about it. It just might be how nick-free Jefferson's profile is or the combination thereof. 🙂
When the strike and luster are present, how's the condition?
248 coins displayed, 1938 to 1970. 98 coins, 1971 to 2003. More to come. See hard list.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1030414/jefferson-nickel-collection-1971-to-2003/p1?new=1
1938 to 1970 PL, SPL set within, 71 +1 of 78 dates. Only the 39D, 43/2P, 46D, 47D, 48D, 49D, 50D, 51D, 58D, 63D are needed. Some are part of the main set.
30 PL, SPL 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 percentage of coins with full to VEDS strikes!
313 new coins, 60 with photos, many with descriptions. See the Hard List.
The most lustrous coins are PL . Add an EDS 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.

1941-D 6 PL.
https://youtu.be/V0fkCnFqkoU
Displayed; 55 ANACS, 6 NGC, 79 PCGS, 3 SEGS, and 88 Raw coins.
257 encapsulated coins in total; 114 ANACS, 19 NGC, 122 PCGS, 4 SEGS All totals within -/+3, keep losing count. :|

Very-early-die-state details/strike sets a coin apart from coins with fewer details!
An EDS coin will not always exhibit FS especially if PL
However, locating a VEDS example is the ultimate goal/end of a successful hunt!
The most lustrous coins are PL!
Compensated steps come from worn dies.
Why settle for less knowing far better coins exist?
A coin w/weak hair, weak window details, a flat ear or cheek but yet shows steps, a FS coin it is not!
The very hard metal/element of "nickel" used in the coin blanks is what makes collecting Jefferson nickels an impossible series to complete where every coin has all-round details that resemble the artist's original works. What goes around; "They're all like that with poor strikes" and due to the lack of availability for EDS examples, lower quality coins are collected, certified and traded.
Many Jeff's on the market have step detail but what about the other areas/details of the coin? How did they fare? Having deep hairlines, sharp windows and full steps ......
An FS designated on a Jefferson nickel exclaims that it has complete full details...the absolute true definition of FS!
There's a direct correlation between a coin having steps and the stage/condition of the dies it came 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 striking many working dies/blanks. As one detail/area of a coin deflates another tends to balloon up in detail. The step area is a low recess in the die, and acts like a reservoir to take up the metal 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 would be more complete if the overall strike is less complete.
A great collection is built on consistency! When a coin has a problem whether it be a noticeable major mark, carbon spot, or a light scratch....perhaps the luster or toning is just average, it's upgradeable! The most problematic eyesore is a worn-die strike. MS coins not all there ought not straight grade but given a details grade! There was a time when all I cared about were the steps, how short-lived that was! Today, I can't bear looking at poor strikes in someone's collection, so I move on. High-quality coins have a full complete strike (No missing detail!), virtually no marks, and outstanding luster! Do your coins meet these criteria?
Photos of steps are not included on every coin but they are there!
3 to 6 qualities/dimensions on a single coin is rare. The main 3; 1) Full Strike, may include the steps, 2) Condition, includes 3) Luster. A bonus is 4) Toning, shouldn't interfere with the luster too much. But coins with 5) an Early Die State (EDS) Strike and/or 6) Prooflike (PL) fields, are the grandest dimensions of them all! And 7) Frostlike or a "circ cam" look, (see 1944-S, 1951-S, (2) 1964-D) 8) Evidence; lathe lines. What are the average dimensions of your coins? 1 to 2? Most sets are! It's a challenge to maintain a 3 and above 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 EDS strikes, from beat-up coins to mark-free coins, 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 areas are low MS63/64 grade coins!
Emphasis/focus should always be on the overall strike. not only the steps. Otherwise, you'll end up with more coins to upgrade! lol
When a coin lacks a certain quality, pass on it!
The key to building a great collection is to make certain all your coins have every distinctive design features/elements it can have! Narrowing down that gap with the master hubs. Pristine mint bloom luster. If Jefferson's deep hairlines are shallow or the top lines on the windows are weak or missing or the end steps are mushy, guess what? There's plenty of room for improvement......with or without complete steps!
Coins I consider, is there a bullet strike, least marks, original 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 coin blanks. 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 these coins than my 34 years, many 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 really 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 mint bloom 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, there are razor-sharp steps, some w/6. This makes sense! Seen a 1952-P on ebay with almost 6 steps, why? Because the details on the Mont. were weak. This fact holds true with both working hubs and dies, wear on the other devices produced steps! While many of the coins in this collection were stamped/found with the earliest of hub and die sets, there are a few with just missed steps or no steps .....it was only after the dies had stamped a few hundred coins, taken on some wear before the scales would tip in favor of the steps. So.... the main set while there are no mushy, just steps coins, a few proof-like examples have weak details nor steps. 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.
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 don't necessarily have 5 complete steps. Collectors have failed to ignore a coin with missing or mushy details and erroneously give blind pride/praise to such 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. Dates after 1950 were prone to numerous marks and/or a rough planchet or strike-thrus that occur to the planchet.
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 steps. A 1939-PDS R38, 1953-S, 1954-S, 1960 to 1964-D. PL coins.

An EDS PL piece is so unique and the eye appeal....isn't this the reason why we..........!
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 near perfect 4.50 steps strike. :)
Had the design features in the dies worn down a bit, had the overall strike been less, more metal would have shifted/reached/made/migrated its way to and would have helped fill in the steps. A genuine FS coin does not have weak details on one side and filled-out steps on the other. It's been intriguing how this fact has eluded so many collectors.
How strong, full, sharp the details, how lustrous/proof-like (mark-free) a coin can get..... questions all collectors should be pondering in all their days of searching for high quality coins.
Immaculate detail, luster....flawless!
All that I have written is summed up with these two coins. What's your goal?

ANACS MS67 5 Steps, charcoal surfaces, mark-free.

Pretty PCGS AU55 Suffered from album paper burn.





Dipping a coin to remove its toning, however ugly, will only ruin it, and give it an unnatural appearance. Don't believe a coin's original mint bloom surfaces/fields can be restored by merely applying a cleanser agent. Dipping only eats the colors. The translucent crystallization of the rust/tarnish, however one wants to describe corrosion....remains.
It's very difficult to locate early proofs that have not been dipped/cleaned/ruined, and are carbon spot-free.

Has all 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 coin collections are built/assembled. This collection is a match 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 higher grade FS Jefferson nickels must have complete design features: deep hairlines, a well-defined Monticello portico, tops of all windows, square top digits, full side/end steps. All original design features/details must be sharp for a coin designated FS. Otherwise, the metal meant for those details ends 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, top of windows, end steps, ear detail and/or a flat cheek are upgradeable, will say, you do not have a high quality coin.

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" and there are others used 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). Practically 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 on the rim were made by a cutting lathe bit as it was applied to create/cut the two master hubs which were rarely used, perhaps only 3 times in the 33 year period by making only 3 sets of master dies. The 1st 1938, 2nd 1950, the last 1960 impressed the images onto the working hubs that were used extensively in making the working dies, which did the end work of stamping coins. This rarely-seen detail (lathe lines LLs) leads us to believe a coin has the earliest die state (EDS) strike possible. This relevance sheds light on the wavy steps.


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.


The thing about a photo, you're viewing from only one direction as opposed to seeing it in hand and this coin rocks!

What caused those concentric circular raised lines is viewed at the 2:13 m, YouTube film, 'How coins are made.', produced in 1938. GRRRR!! https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=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!

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.

HQ piece, IMO.

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, 44D, 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'? Proof planchet? Did the US Mint entertain proof coins in 1946? Why would they highly polish a coin blank or from what year? 1942? This coin has been under a gun and no silver. But the gal hesitated which has led me to suspect whether she knew what she was doing. Remember the story about the 5th 1913 nickel, how some great coin company once told the owner it was a counterfeit? A silver planchet may explain a hammered strike.......silver being softer than nickel. This one stays until I learn more. Then again, because it's PL........but not in that respect.






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! :smiley:


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 clearly point to 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, deep mirrors, lite cameo.


Locating EDS pristine 1950 to 1970 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 a EDS strike.








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

75+ years behind searching for this 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 on this one. 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?

Over-graded. Flawed......no ear detail. IMO MS64


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. PL fields intensify any defects, making them really stand out. This one is an exception.





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

Best stretch of 1960's dates in strike, condition and steps anywhere!

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!



EDS! PL! No flat cheek or ear. Full hair and Mont. details. Resembles the Master hubs of 1938, cut 24 dates/23 years prior. Only detail missing is 4 quarter steps! Had the overall details been less, the steps would have been stronger and likely would have lost its PL fields.

Black Beauties have PL fields. Deep dish strike. Extra light used for 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 through 1970-S, SMS, Proofs and BS coins, were 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 once declared a 1967 BS with FS does not exist.
1,000,000 years by an est. 28,000 collectors over the last 56 years have searched..... Has deep hairlines, a cherry cheek, sharp window tops ...definitely a BUSINESS STRIKE (BS), NOT SMS. Is there a finer example!!




SMS Full steps?

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.


Here's 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.

The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

My Jefferson Nickel Collection

Comments

  • 66RB66RB Posts: 2,516 ✭✭✭

    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.....

  • Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

    Timbuk3
  • CoinflipCoinflip Posts: 842 ✭✭✭

    Beautiful set

    SMILEFORSOMECHANGE LLC
    RAD#306

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,349 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 9, 2019 5:46PM

    @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
    and at the 2:35 mark, I believe is the answer. Those raised lines on the rim were made by a cutting lathe bit which leads me to believe this coin has a very early die state (EDS) strike. The 1939-D Type 1, 1940-P, 1950 and 1950-D 6 steps have these tool die markings in this set. My theory is, I like to think they cut 3 sets of master dies. A set for 1938, 1939 and 1940's. Another for the 1950's. And the last set for the 1960's but I don't have a1960 example that shows those markings.
    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

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

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

  • bolivarshagnastybolivarshagnasty Posts: 7,348 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,349 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 17, 2019 9:50AM

    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.

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • lonn47lonn47 Posts: 236 ✭✭✭

    nice nice, thnk you

  • GRANDAMGRANDAM Posts: 8,353 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

    GrandAm :)
  • RayboRaybo Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭✭✭

  • PQueuePQueue Posts: 901 ✭✭✭

    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.

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,349 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 6, 2021 12:45AM

    Added the following nice strikes;

    Leo

    Moved up into the collection.

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,349 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here's my latest addition.

    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • sumduncesumdunce Posts: 1,247 ✭✭✭✭

    Very nice set. You have a great eye.

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,349 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 25, 2023 2:15PM

    Pedigree: Bern Nagengast.

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,305 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    Tempus fugit.
  • JWPJWP Posts: 17,141 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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. :)

    USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
    Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members

  • IntueorIntueor Posts: 310 ✭✭✭✭

    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.

    unus multorum
  • BaronVonBaughBaronVonBaugh Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭✭

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

  • ElKevvoElKevvo Posts: 4,057 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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

    ANA LM
  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,349 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 25, 2023 2:06PM

    Dyk, fewer than 3% (9 or 10) of the 300+ early Jefferson nickel proofs, 1938 to 1942-P displayed in CoinFacts have the rare green and red toning on both sides.

    Leo :)

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Do you have any Henning nickels? >:)

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • @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.

  • fish1967fish1967 Posts: 101 ✭✭

Sign In or Register to comment.