1942-S Nickel (What’s the grade? Opinions needed)
SummerDays3104
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I have this 1942-S Nickel and I’ve been pondering what grade it would get… Would it be PL + FS? Neither? I think it would grade MS-62… Btw, those “scratches” I believe to be die polish marks… Opinions please?
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If it really is die polish, I’d say 58.
I’m really hesitant to say anything but Details from those pictures though.
Coin Photographer.
Die polish marks?
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Judging purely from the pictures, AU details. Sure looks damaged from the pics.
Doesn't look like die polish from the pics. AU Details.
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Agree
Hits on the cheek and the collar, abrasion in fields... AU details. Cheers, RickO
But there's a nice die crack if you like die cracks.
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Also known as a spiked head. Don't make us come over there and teach you!! 😂 👍🏻
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
The coin as pictured is odd-looking, but I'm going to buck the trend. I don't see any continuation lines from the die polish/cleaning marks across/into the portrait or Monticello, so I think they well could be die polishing marks. They don't look like die polishing marks I'm familiar with, but who knows, it may just be the picture. One could argue there looks to be a rub on the obverse, just below "earlobe level", but it could just as easily be the planchet and strike combination. And I don't see any indication of a rub on the reverse. There is a nasty gash/contact mark below the eye, and another noticeable contact mark by the collar. I think it's FS. No way is it PL. I say MS-63 FS. Die cracks are pretty common in Jefferson nickels, so I don't think it adds any additional value. My five cents worth.
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If you like die cracks it might.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Looks MS63-64 with full steps. There are a couple of marks on obv. and some brownish dark tarnish on the obverse which would cause me to pass on it. Looks very prooflike with all the heavy or severe die polish lines in the fields which extend from Jefferson's portrait and not on top. Rev. looks full PL. Strike looks ok. Nice die crack. PL coins are difficult to photograph. Value? $3-4. Here are a couple examples similar to yours but without the tarnish.
Forgot to add; the heavy die polishing may have occurred to repair a die from a clash with the reverse die.
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Die polishing more evident above the Mont.
Leo
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Have you watched all the PCGS grading videos available for free on YouTube? It is a decent way to learn a lot about how they grade and why.
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
More pictures with a rotated light source direction would be needed to be sure.
But those look like die abrasion lines to me. That was sometimes done at the Mint to remove light clash marks.
Assuming they are die abrasion lines and not post-mint hairlines, then I think MS63 (with five full steps).
The lines on the obv appear to go under the bust at the nose and chin so from these photos I think you are correct that those are die polish lines. The steps are full enough for a FS at PCGS and 5FS at NGC, it may be prooflike but I would not want to make that call from these photos. My grade, MS62 5FS.
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Die polish will have raised lines- take a good look under a higher powered glass or even a microscope. Obviously, I am not able to see the coin in hand, but I more inclined to agree that what we see here is in fact die polish. I will even go out on a ledge and suggest die polish such as this is not that uncommon for the San Francisco mint during this time frame. Should get an FS designation but will not likely grade higher than 64 on a good day
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