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The way future of Jefferson Nickels

So maybe I'm way off the mark but it seems everywhere I read people mention that the jefferson nickel isn't that popular of a coin series. While I understand that investing in coins is in no way a sure fire or is anything for that matter. However I was just wondering if its foolish of me to be considering getting my hands on some pre 1964 Jefferson nickels in mint state in hope that some time before I die (I'm 21 now) that they will become popular and subsequently valuable? Just seems almost to easy with so many example available for under 100 in most cases 50 dollars.
Thanks as usual for answering my brainfarts,
Kyle
Thanks as usual for answering my brainfarts,
Kyle
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Not big into Jefferson nickels, just these two, plus the 50D.
Collect what you love, good luck collecting.
If you were to buy some run of the mill, weakly struck, examples I doubt they would ever turn out to be a great investment. You can still find older Jeffs in change. I can't see them ever getting as popular as larger silver coins like Franklin Halves.
So I would not recommend buying a bunch of Jeffs as an investment. They are a great series to collect if you like them. I collect proof Jeffs and I pull nickels from circulation. The latter is because the nickel content is worth more than a nickel and I'm speculating inflation will increase the value of the metal and one day I might actually be able to sell them for more than a nickel.
than the older issues but cost far less. Most of these will be gone
within ten years; melted by the government.
None of the nickels is so tough as to be a sure thing. A lot of them
are tough in nice condition.
Hoard the keys.
The Jefferson's are not rare and most can be had for small change, BUT if you set your sights on a Full 38-64 Full Step Set with all the varities you'll be deep in the hole when your finished. Many of the Keys are thousands of dollars in the higher grades and very tough to find. Recently many of those tough keys are surfacing and I suspect several registry sets are currently being liquidated. The Omaha Bank Hoard has also put some supply into the market in the past couple of years also.
Keets is probably the key for info here.
<< <i>So maybe I'm way off the mark but it seems everywhere I read people mention that the jefferson nickel isn't that popular of a coin series. While I understand that investing in coins is in no way a sure fire or is anything for that matter. However I was just wondering if its foolish of me to be considering getting my hands on some pre 1964 Jefferson nickels in mint state in hope that some time before I die (I'm 21 now) that they will become popular and subsequently valuable? Just seems almost to easy with so many example available for under 100 in most cases 50 dollars.
Thanks as usual for answering my brainfarts,
Kyle >>
Hi Kyle
To give you an idea on how long it will take to assemble a great set that will hopefully pay off someday, click on the following link.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Silver war nickels of 1942-45 might be worth a look.
Uncirculated war nickels have a silvery appearance that, to my eyes, is more attractive than the appearance of copper-nickel ones.
They also make up an 11-coin "sub-set" that can be collected on its own.
The 1942-P proof is a type coin as the only proof war nickel, with a mintage just over 27,000.
Higher-grade circulated war nickels may eventually acquire a premium also, because so many have been melted.
My Adolph A. Weinman signature

Jeffs in PCGS-MS67 are very tough coins, except for most of the War years and the 1938-D. (I stress the PCGS part because in NGC-67 they are MUCH more common. In fact, I do not buy NGC Jeffs at all because I believe they overgrade them by at least one point.) There are also many dates for which no MS67s have been graded yet at PCGS.
PCGS-MS66 coins are generally available and usually inexpensive, and is where most collectors tend to focus. There are, however, a handful of extremely tough dates in the 1940s and 1950s in that grade (1952-P for example)... and no MS66 examples at all have been graded yet at PCGS for the 1958-P, 1962-D and 1963-D.
In my opinion the best coins in term of appreciation potential are the major varieties in high-MS grades, like the 1939 DDR, 1942-D/D, 1943/2, 1945 DDR, and 1946-D/D. They are already pretty expensive, however. Beyond that, I would be extremely cautious about investing a substantial amount of money in Jeffs.
But that's just me.
San Diego, CA
tell you, coins shouldn't be a primary investment at all - there will likely be up and
down cycles over time, there are many complex factors affecting demand and pricing
of a given series or coin, they are expensive to store & insure, and the buy/sell spreads
are working against you.
That said, if you enjoy coins and it's just fun money that you might otherwise spend on
other hobbies or entertainment, collecting coins can be financially rewarding - particularly
when you hold them for long periods.
If I were wanting to spend $50-100 monthly on Jefferson nickels, I wouldn't buy the
common mint state coins that are available in that price range - they are just too
common. Instead, I would save for a few months and purchase mint state and/or proof
variety coins. They are interesting coins and this series offers many popular options.
When you look at the population reports for some of these, there just aren't a whole lot
out there.
1939 Double Monticello
1942-D/Horizontal D
1943/2-P
1943-P Doubled Eye
1945 Double Die Reverse (Nearly as strong as the 1939 Double Monticello)
1946-D/Inverted D
1949-D/S
1954-S/D
1955-D/S
1939 Rev 40 Proof
1940 Rev 38 Proof
Ken
Here are my recommendations for Jeffersons to buy in the next couple years that if you hold onto them for awhile you will do really well:
1938-D MS66FS: You can often pick this coin up for under $250 even though the pop is under 200...just try to find one that has something special to offer...like really nice toning. Run of the mill white coins just don't excite folks much.
1939-D MS66 (either reverse): Look for PQ examples. There are soooo many 66's out there, it's finding the high end ones that will pay off. You can sometimes pick these up for $125 and sell them back for almost $200, even today. 10 yrs from now you should do really well with these.
Full step MS66's in the 1940's. I think these will increase nicely in value from their present state right now. Many can be picked up for well under $200.
Any of the s-mints in the 1950's, especially if you can find one with a nice strike and toning. They are very hard to find.
And, the 1950-D in MS66FS. I bought this one for $120 back in February 2005. How much do you think I could get for it today? I'd say at least half that.
Good luck my friend!
<< <i>I think Jefferson Nickel errors should do better in the future since there are very few coming out from the Mint now days. >>
Look @ the 2005 ocean in view, Proof & uncirculated. Also the Matte finish. There are all kinds
The Jefferson's are not rare and most can be had for small change.
Of course, not all Jeffersons are rare but they can be had for small change.
I wouldn't buy the common mint state coins that are available in that price range - they are just too common.
Beyond that, I would be extremely cautious about investing a substantial amount of money in Jeffs.
Check out the strikes on these coins! These coins are not common! The 1952 is the first I've seen in 16 years collecting this series.
None of the nickels is so tough as to be a sure thing. A lot of them are tough in nice condition.
So wery true!
Some of the '50s Jeffs are super, duper tough to find fully struck.
Yes they are!
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
I really like collecting Jeffs. My time is very limited so is my collection. I hope Jeffs stay cheap and allow me plenty of time to track down the elusive rarities.
Interesting post.