What is your opinion of this Jefferson nickel??

keets

What do you think of this 1966 SMS Jefferson Nickel?? It is without a doubt the cleanest and best struck example I've found in a Set or seen in a holder although the contrast is minimal. The only problem....................I can't seem to find it right now along with a 1939-S R.38 that I bought at a show some time ago. Misplaced coins are frustrating!!

Al H.

ModCrewman

Based upon the photo and my recent experience at PCGS, I think that one may have a hard time making it into a CAM holder...but may see a 67 grade.

keets

i'm not concerned about the grade and the fact that it lacks sufficient frost/contrast to be seen as Cameo isn't a worry. i was most interested in how it was viewed by others with regard to the strike and overall clean-ness in addition to the fact that the steps are fully struck. the only imperfection is the slight depression directly under the doors. i''ve found that finding fully struck SMS coins with clean steps is nearly impossible, even when i see MS67-68 graded coins.

OldEastside

Overall it's Excellent, and I like it, nice strike and full steps are a rarity with
most SMS's IMO, I hope you find it, I myself have a few around the house
playing hide & seek with me.

Steve

magikbilly

It is beautiful Keets I LIKE!

Eric

clevegreg

Love it...now find it

keets

i also have had an MS 1965 with Full Steps(though weakly struck) hide from me for some time(Leo helped with the close-up if i can find it).

this all begs the answer to the question about Full Step detail and fully struck coins from the three SMS years-----How frequently do you see fully struck coins which are clean and have relatively well struck Steps?? i have been hunting for such coins and find them impossible to locate, both intact in Sets and holdered, the grade on the insert notwithstanding. coins may garner a lofty grade but they are rarely well-struck and mark free.

i'm considering offering a BOUNTY on an intact Set with just such a coin from each years.

OldEastside

in my experiance Not Often, with that said, the ones I have
encountered that do have full steps have the nicks & ticks,
so the one you have pictured to me is the needle in the
haystack and are just as tough to find SMS Full Steps as
the rest of the regular FS circ strike of the 60's.

I also don't see why PCGS does'nt atribute Full Step designation
to SMS Jeffersons.

Steve

stephunter

Like it, hope you find it.

BigDowgie

Hey there keets, really nice example! I have not even come close to finding a 1966 example like this one! These are super tough and lump the 1965 into this category as well. Hope you find it!

Old Eastside, I agree with you on "Full Step" designation for these! Interesting how PCGS does this for the 1964 SMS, but not the rest??

While not even close to being as tough as the 1965 or 1966, here is my 1967. Here is the question of the day.....If the Mint used the the SMS dies to make circulation coins, why wouldn't there be some nice full step 1967 examples like this?

keets

Here is the question of the day.....If the Mint used the the SMS dies to make circulation coins, why wouldn't there be some nice full step 1967 examples like this?

my answer would be that although nothing "Special" was done to make Special Mint Set i presume that changes were in fact made each year and that during 1967 the striking pressure was probably raised, resulting in better struck and more detailed coins. when making circulation issues the pressure was reduced.

if i were you i'd hold onto that '67, it is an exceptional coin.