I've been trying to pop a 1938 D or S for the last 18 months or so. Just popped a 1838S MS65FS - pop 1 coin. I'm sure this will change shortly and become fairly common based on new standards for 1938 and 1939 wavy step reverse of 38.
(The Corso Collection) Always looking for high quality proof and full step Jeffersons - email me with details
I've read the policy and am wondering why you believe there will be many more that will make the FS designation? Are you suggesting that the 1938 in FS will be as common as the 1940D or 1941D? The 1938 Jeffersons still have to meet the requirements that the rest of the series has to meet.
the coins will be designated as FS as long as they contain the necessary 5 steps. Contact marks that bridge the steps, areas of the steps where the detail might fill in due to strike, or other deficiencies will prevent the coin from ascertaining the FS designation
The PCGS graders were apparently looking for straight, parallel steps on the '38 and '39 p,d,s nickels in the past. Once the graders saw the wavy steps, the nickel was not even considered for the FS designation. Now the nickels with the wavy steps will get consideration. I have seen a '38(p) and a '38(d) PCGS FS nickel on Ebay and now nickelColl. has a '38(s) in PCGS MS65FS. I guess the people who shelled out big bucks for '39(d) PCGS MS67FS nickels want the two types separated.
Black Knight: It sounds to me like what PCGS is going to do is take into account the fact that a '38 reverse can only be "so good." Contact marks, or other "dings" are going to disqualify it from FS, and if the "strike" of a '38 reverse is weak, it will be disqualified as well. But if the strike is "full" -- that is, "full, for a '38" it will get the designation.
In one sense the standard is the same for all the Jeffs, but graders will (hopefully) recognize that you will never get what we consider to be truly separate, differentiated steps like what you get on later years, on the '38s (and some '39s).
At least, that's what I take away from this.
"The essence of sleight of hand is distraction and misdirection. If smoeone can be convinced that he has, through his own perspicacity, divined your hidden purposes, he will not look further."
Contact marks that bridge the steps, areas of the steps where the detail might fill in due to strike, or other deficiencies will prevent the coin from ascertaining the FS designation.
Frank,
I'm very curious about the 1st and 2nd steps under the 1st pillar. Is there clear separation between the two steps beneath the left 1st pillar?
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
The 38s has 5 steps under pillars 1 & 4. There are minor merges between 2 & 3. I have submitted much stronger wavy steps in the past that did not come back FS. In my opinion, there will be numerous 38 & 39 wavy varities that will get the FS designation. They may not be common but they certainly will not be rare.
Frank
(The Corso Collection) Always looking for high quality proof and full step Jeffersons - email me with details
It would have to be wavy. The change came mid-'39.
"The essence of sleight of hand is distraction and misdirection. If smoeone can be convinced that he has, through his own perspicacity, divined your hidden purposes, he will not look further."
Comments
My Jefferson Full Step Variety Set (1938 - Current)
My Jefferson Proof Variety Set (1938 - Current)
So long as PCGS differentiates between Ty 1 and Ty 2, they have made the wise decision in my opinion. Wondercoin
the coins will be designated as FS as long as they contain the necessary 5 steps. Contact marks that bridge the steps, areas of the steps where the detail might fill in due to strike, or other deficiencies will prevent the coin from ascertaining the FS designation
Congrats on the 1938-S FS.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
p,d,s nickels in the past. Once the graders saw the wavy steps, the nickel was not even
considered for the FS designation. Now the nickels with the wavy steps will get
consideration. I have seen a '38(p) and a '38(d) PCGS FS nickel on Ebay and now
nickelColl. has a '38(s) in PCGS MS65FS. I guess the people who shelled out big bucks
for '39(d) PCGS MS67FS nickels want the two types separated.
In one sense the standard is the same for all the Jeffs, but graders will (hopefully) recognize that you will never get what we consider to be truly separate, differentiated steps like what you get on later years, on the '38s (and some '39s).
At least, that's what I take away from this.
William S. Burroughs, Cities of the Red Night
Frank,
I'm very curious about the 1st and 2nd steps under the 1st pillar. Is there clear separation between the two steps beneath the left 1st pillar?
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
The 38s has 5 steps under pillars 1 & 4. There are minor merges between 2 & 3. I have submitted much stronger wavy steps in the past that did not come back FS. In my opinion, there will be numerous 38 & 39 wavy varities that will get the FS designation. They may not be common but they certainly will not be rare.
Frank
My Jefferson Full Step Variety Set (1938 - Current)
My Jefferson Proof Variety Set (1938 - Current)
William S. Burroughs, Cities of the Red Night