Liberty nickels - weak corn

dan1ecu

Does anyone know if the corn on the reverse of a V nickel can be used to determine the strength of strike, just like the bands on a Mercury dime or the bell lines on a Franklin half? I’ve seen some Liberty nickels for sale that are described as not having fully struck corn. Are there any dates that are particularly difficult to find with “full corn?”

Dan

greghansen

Is that corn? That can't be corn can it? Been a long time since I left the farm but I don't remember any blossoms on the corn. As far as the full strike question...I'll also be eager the hear the area with the greatest void between the dies where a weak strike would be most evident.

....I swear...that can't be corn.

greghansen

Corn it is. I'll be durned. Couldn't wait for someone to set me straight. Had to go see for myself. As for the strike issue the literature says that the area on the lower left of the reverse wreath being directly opposite the highest part of the obverse bust is an area where there may be some softness of strike. I guess thats where the corn is...lower left portion of reverse wreath.

coinguy1

In addition to the areas already noted, a number of pieces have one or more weakly struck stars. The 1883 No Cents variety is probably the most apt to display this weakness, though some examples are well struck in that area.

dan1ecu

Hi, Gregory and Coinguy –

I guess it’s not much of an issue since weakness in that area isn’t too noticeable (at least not to me). It wouldn’t prevent me from buying a nice Liberty nickel. It might affect the grade, though, if it’s a high-end mint state coin... I don’t know.

Dan

michael

most proofs and even the most well struck superb gem ms lib nicks the corn is not fully struck you cant ever use the corn to determine anything as for grade for proof or ms lib nicks!

in my opinion

sincerely michael

MastaHanky

A fully struck coin will even display gaps between the individual kernels of corn.

I personally think there should be a "full cornhole" designation. If you can't see a cornhole on the rear of Miss Liberty, you can assume the coin isn't fully struck.

dorkkarl

i would hate to see a "fc" designation suddenly come in vogue, but the answer is "yes". in fact, i have been pursuing such coins for years & have assembled 1 he11 of a collection, if that is what you look for. easy dates : 1889, 1885, 1886, 1900. lemme tell ya, 1907 in high grade AND well struck??? fugettaboutit. ditto 1911. 1901, 1912-p also tough.

that should get you started.

K S