1938 Jefferson Nickel design by Wilhelm (William) and Franz (Frank) Hejda

Zoins

With the recent revival of the 1938 nickel design by Anthony DeFrancisci thread, I decided to look up the entry by Frans Karel Hejda again. I was always suspect of this attribution because I couldn't find any reference to a person with this name and I was also interested in locating the auction photos of the plasters. The name was used in Heritage's 2001 auction:

https://coins.ha.com/itm/patterns/1938-pattern-jefferson-nickel-pr66-deep-cameo-uncertified-not-listed-in-judd-or-pollock-left-facing-bust-of-jefferson-gazing-u/a/267-8420.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

Lo and behold, less than a month go on Dec 18, 2017, a person on CoinCommunity.com posted personal information of this piece attributing it to Wilhelm and Frank Hejda, relatives of his wife. Wilhelm Hejda is a well known Austrian sculptor and medallist who lived from May 26, 1868 to January 19, 1942, being born and passing in Vienna. His son Franz lived in the US and may have been the reason for their entry into the competition.

16 years after the Aug 2001 Heritage sale, this mystery is solved and this piece is attributed to a famous sculptor. What a nice outcome.

Here's the information from the thread:

https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=152994

The 1938 nickel competition submission is not from Frans Karel Hejda as it is most often and erroneously ascribed, but rather the father and son team of William (Wilhelm) and Frank Hejda. Frank and Willem and relatives of my wife and we own what we believe is the the original submission mold inscribed with the words Competition.

Here's Wilhelm's Wikipedia page and photo:

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Hejda

His son Franz/Frank seems to be less well known, but here is a sculpture signed "Hejda Franz":

https://www.bukowskis.com/en/lots/894110-unknown-artist-a-bronze-sculpture-signed-hejda-franz-and-dated-22

Update: Thanks to PCGS for slabbing these!

291fifth

Great information! An example of this site at its best!

RogerB

I believe there are photos of this design in the NARA Jefferson Nickel file.

golden

Way cool! Thanks for sharing.

bolivarshagnasty

Great read. Thanks for posting Zoins! Do we know how many of the Hejda struck nickels exist?

ECHOES

Cool, Thanks!

SCDHunter

Calling Daniel Carr .... calling Daniel Carr!

Hydrant

Thanks for the post, Zoins.

Zoins

@bolivarshagnasty said:
Great read. Thanks for posting Zoins! Do we know how many of the Hejda struck nickels exist?

It was over 100 but I'm not sure.

TeamDennis

Well done Zoins, well done.

ricko

Great information... Thanks for the link.... That is a nice sculpture .... Cheers, RickO

bolivarshagnasty

@Zoins said:

@bolivarshagnasty said:
Great read. Thanks for posting Zoins! Do we know how many of the Hejda struck nickels exist?

It was over 100 but I'm not sure.

Are these later restrikes? What are they going for? Have the FSNC pair. Wouldn't mind owning one of these as well.

RogerB

If any were made with the designs posted, without "COPT," and in something similar in size to a standard five-cent coin, they would be obvious counterfeit coins.

bolivarshagnasty

This was in the description of the coin Heritage auctioned. Mintage unknown?

" Felix Schlag's view of Monticello was rejected and the view changed to that seen on this piece, an unofficial pattern struck in an unknown small quantity in more recent years from a die made from the original Hejda galvanos. The die has since been destroyed. (NGC ID# 2WMK, PCGS# 62300) "

coinkat

Great design... Impressive image of Jefferson. In some ways one can just see the transition from craftsmanship to mass production... And that is unfortunate.

coinsarefun

OLD THREAD NOTICE
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So, what's going on with this design? Is it a pattern? Are they worth as much as it sold for in your link @Zoins

Jimnight

Nice read! Thank you.

Zoins

@coinsarefun said:
So, what's going on with this design? Is it a pattern? Are they worth as much as it sold for in your link @Zoins

It's related to a pattern but probably not technically one as the Mint requested the plaster but not the struck piece.

On the open market I think they sell from $50 to $350. Some people still try to get close to $1000 due to the HA sale, but I haven't seen another sell in that range.

CaptHenway

@coinsarefun said:
OLD THREAD NOTICE
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So, what's going on with this design? Is it a pattern? Are they worth as much as it sold for in your link @Zoins

OLD FRED NOTICE

coinsarefun

@Zoins said:

@coinsarefun said:
So, what's going on with this design? Is it a pattern? Are they worth as much as it sold for in your link @Zoins

It's related to a pattern but probably not technically one as the Mint requested the plaster but not the struck piece.

On the open market I think they sell from $50 to $350. Some people still try to get close to $1000 due to the HA sale, but I haven't seen another sell in that range.

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Thanks, I was offered one and wasn’t sure if these are still popular or liked by collectors.
I wanted one a few years back but prices were steep. If I end up with one I’ll post it

coinsarefun

I did go ahead and purchase one. Thread posted here
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1054818/the-other-other-1938-jefferson-nickel#latest

Zoins

PCGS Rocks!

Wow, PCGS is slabbing these now!

I've been following these for over 15 years. Good to be patient!

Here's a TrueView, also added to the OP.