Jefferson Nickel Variety Of The Week: 1939 Proof Die Used for Business Strike?
BigDowgie
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Jefferson Nickel Variety Of The Week: 1939 Proof Die Used for Business Strike?
Ok, call me nuts, but I can't stop looking and noticing things! This one is not a variety per say, however, use of a Proof Die for Business Strikes is a quite interesting study. The use of Proof Dies for regular production is not something readily discerned except when there are very distinct die markers that pop out at you.
I happen to look at a bunch of 1939-S (Rev 38) Business strikes, as I am looking for a nice DDR-001 for my "All Variety" Set. This all the new Re-Engraved Dies added to the Cherry Pickers, I was looking at my 1939 Proofs for added engravings even though no REDs have been officially identified for this one. Upon looking at the 1939 Proofs and the 1939-S Business Strikes, I noticed several distinct markers that were identical. Notice the following similarities:
1) The notch in the upper portion of the E,
2) The added engravings at the bottom of the E P L R, and
3) The unusual notch in the lower right stroke of the R
Now the question becomes, is this a Proof Die used to strike Business coins or did the the Master Die poses these distinct markings and then all the subsequent Proof and Business Production Dies possess them? I'm not sure of the correct answer on this one, as I have not studied enough examples for these markers on both the Proof and Business Strikes. I do have a couple 1939-S (Rev 38) that appear NOT to have these markers, but their strikes are not early strikes. I do not see these markers on the 1939-S (Rev 40) coins or the other coins from 1939. I definitely will begin taking notes from this point forward!
Happy Hunting
1939 Proof Strike
1939-S (Rev 38) Business Strike
Comments
I have noticed this effect on coins as late as 1942 and I am curious about this my ownself. On a diverse group of business and proof Philly, Denver, and San Francisco. I will look for proof die markers now. Fascinating . > @BigDowgie said:
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Is this your reverse?
https://www2.briansvarietycoins.com/listings/view/396
mingot,
No, my proof examples are not this DDR. Now I have to get looking for one of these!
One more -- how about this one? I am asking because yours really looks like a DDR
https://www2.briansvarietycoins.com/listings/view/362
(ingore the fact that its a '40 coin that was made in philly lol. i have 2 39r38s with the same reverse die as both of my 40r38s so i know the die existed when your coin was struck!)
My 40 r 38 is like that also.
Hey, the 1940 you linked to... that ribbon looks seriously re engraved. I have a 1940 r 40 proof just like that with huge ribbon. Like a wall.
Or the 38 402.
?
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
I think all of the 40r38 proofs used that same reverse. My 40r40 also has a re-engraved ribbon, There was a lot of that going around. Curiously in '41 they quit trying and just let them all have a missing ribbon instead of fixing them up, for the most part.
RE: 1940, rev ’38 proof five cents –
January 30, 1940: Rev die #41, 900 pieces struck; also used in late 1939. All of the reverse of 1938 coins were likely parts of deliveries for February 9 and 15.
Estimated Survival, Reverse of 1938: 625 pieces.
Yes, the coin above is the second 1939 Proof link provided. I have another 1939 Proof that does not have that minor doubling. It also has all the markers with one exception. The unusual notch in the lower right stroke of the R has been repaired! It is not obvious in the picture, but that notch has raised re-engraving markings in that location.
If that die was used to make biz strikes in san fran in 39 and proofs in philly in 39 and 40 it really got around lol.
Too much information! Just kidding.......you guys out do me looking for differences in coins.....well maybe.
Proof dies were basically "used up" and then destroyed. Multiple polishing cycles turned them into mush, plus many broke due to the high pressure of the medal press.