MS 68 LIBERTY NICKELS

REX

Would anyone care to give a theory as to why the Liberty nickel is the only post 1850 minor coinage series that does not have any MS 68's.I proposed the question to David Hall on the Q & A forum and his reply was strike and marks on Liberty's face.
However I have seen 2 of Baxi's coins that are real candidates for a 68 and he told me that Dale Friend had a monster 1902 NGC 68 that DNC.
Just seem's odd that this is the ONLY sreies without a 68

dbldie55

They don't like us.

REX

dbldie55

You may want to e-mail "Baxi" or Tahoe Dale.They have had their sets reviewed by PCGS.BTW your web site is great and very useful

Rex

TahoeDale

There will be one or several PCGS MS 68's in the near future, but it will be special special coins that will get there. Luster like an 1881-S Morgan and no hits on the face area will be required.

I do not see a rainbow toned coin making it. Even if there are no marks/hits on the obverse important areas, the toning that could hide the imperfections will negate a 68 grade.

As you know, there is one 68 at NGC--the 1902. It meets the above requirements, according to 3 knowledgeable dealers, as well as the pros at NGC. But the reason there are not more is because of the nickel composition. These coins are not 90% silver and do not luster up like Morgans and Barbers. And the strike on the stars and left corn ear will prevent PCGS from a 67 grade in most cases. Ngc has graded several 67's with the strike less than full, and the grading standards allows this--as struck. A true PCGS 67 is a wonder coin--fully struck, stars and corn, but perhaps lacking blast and with one or 2 small marks.

Just for fun, look at the pops on the other 20th century nickel--the shield. Any large number of 67's, much less 68's?

REX

According to several prominent dealers I have done business with in the past, they told me they wwere not into the shield or Liberty nickels just because they were a minor coinage, no market, and no 68's. A lot of their customer bases will not deal with a series that doesn't have any 68's.It still appears odd to me that not even 1 68 has been made

foodude

Just seem's odd that this is the ONLY sreies without a 68

PCGS has not graded any MS68 or higher Franklin Half. I think NGC may have graded at least one MS68.

BTW, the topic you raise is interesting.

REX

I hope I am not speaking out of turn. I have seen Bill R's aka Baxi's 1901 MS 67.I believe Legend obtained that coin for him. Can you tell me why that is not a 68?

MFH

The Liberty Head Nickel, another fine Barber design, has the distinction of being a harder metal to strike up to its fullest, and seems the most susceptible to abrasions. All of which is a shame as its one of the most pleasing designs we've ever coined.

Without checking POP reports, I am surprised that there are as many MS 67's as there are, let alone 68's.

jacktheknife

Rex,

I agree whole heartedly. That Liberty Nickel Collector Society web page is awesome.

Jack

segoja

Also no clad MS68 Ikes!

I'd like to buy one, and will pay handsome for the first one made!

roadrunner

Money is involved. Right now PCGS doesn't want to make a $20,000+ nickel, or maybe that would be $30-50K! At some point in time the standards will relax again, or PCGS will decide it's time to allow nickels to spread upwards. They've done this to many other series, and Lib nickels will not be an exception forever. As Laura said, the whole series will shift at that point. I would also say that Lib nickel grading has not shifted as much since 1990 as silver coins have.

Right now 66's are probably being returned to TPG's to get one of those vaunted 67's. It won't be too long when there will be enough 67's made to start resubmitting them in earnest to get the first 68.

As far as having 100% stars and 100% corn ear detail to gather a 67 or 68 grade, I find that ridiculous. But that's their standard.

roadrunner