Regarding Jeffersons, can someone explain in detail the reverse of '39 or reverse of '40 thing?
MajorDuty
Posts: 1,998
What's different about the reverses?
0
Comments
In 1939, they reworked the masters to strengthen the step detail, resulting in sharp, straight step lines.
All 1940 nickels (with the exception of some proof coins, noted below) are Rev of '40)
For MS coins, 1939 was the transition year, with roughly half of the nickels being Rev '38 and half Rev '40. The mix
varies by mint. Breen lists the percentages as follows:
1939 - Rev '38 20%, Rev '40 80%
1939-D - Rev '38 60%, Rev '40 40%
1939-S - Rev '38 67%, Rev '40 33%
For Proof coins, there are two rarities - 1939 Rev '40 coins, made from a single die pair, and 1940 Rev '38 coins, also made from a single die pair.
Ken
P.S. PCGS did not always differentiate between the two types. Once they did begin designating the 1939 MS Jeffersons as Rev '38 or Rev '40,
they unfortunately decided to lump all of the previously graded coins into the Rev '38 group. Therefore, the populations are definately skewed,
as I have a 1939-D Rev '40 coin right now that is shown as a Rev '38 when you do a cert lookup. They will correct these with a simple designation
review service.
Solid, I'm anxiously awaiting....
Reverse of 1940.
<< <i>For Proof coins, there are two rarities - 1939 Rev '40 coins, made from a single die pair, and 1940 Rev '38 coins, also made from a single die pair. >>
I don't understand why there is a 1940 reverse of '38 if in '39 they made the transition. I guess that '39 transition was only for MS coins? <----- Never mind. I missed this originally: All 1940 nickels (with the exception of some proof coins, noted below) are Rev of '40).
Also, in keet's pictures above, did they add a step during this transition?
<< <i>I have photos of both on my website here. Those are both very well struck coins -- they are both proofs. >>
Carl
you did a great job putting that page together
nice pic presentation
Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
<< <i>
<< <i>For Proof coins, there are two rarities - 1939 Rev '40 coins, made from a single die pair, and 1940 Rev '38 coins, also made from a single die pair. >>
I don't understand why there is a 1940 reverse of '38 if in '39 they made the transition. I guess that '39 transition was only for MS coins? <----- Never mind. I missed this originally: All 1940 nickels (with the exception of some proof coins, noted below) are Rev of '40).
Also, in keet's pictures above, did they add a step during this transition? >>
The 1940 Reverse of 1938 striking was probably just a decision to use up a perfectly good leftover die. Nobody cared about varieties back then.
TD