Ive read other posts dealing with this somewhat but wanted to start fresh. I have a 1952 S Jefferson nickel that is the cleanest coin I think Ive ever come across. The pics do NOT do the surface justice. A rub maybe but nothing cutting the surface other than 1 or 2 small spots maybe. Its stupid clean and Im trying to be brutal with it . So stupid clean AND the worst strike I think it could be. Flat, weak details, die wear and abrasion creating a die wear texture. Forget steps, its tough to see the porch..lol..So technically it would be in the state it was minted in, correct? Nearly no damage or visible contact from when it poped out of the press. SO....In your opinions from EXPERIENCE and UNDERSTANDING, would the strike restrict it from getting a top grade it could otherwise get with a better strike? I have little experience on this and its not worth submitting if so. But if not, it really is that clean.....thanks for the comments...
Hmm, It would be a zero steps nickel for sure. Meow would guess since 5-6 step nickels are worth considerably more depending on the year, a no step example would be on the undesirable side and receive a less than stellar grade.
To be worth submitting a Jefferson nickel to a TPG for grading would require it to be virtually pristine. That means at least an MS-68. Your nickel is not close to that level. Compare Jefferson nickels to a proof strike (minus the mirror surfaces) and that will give you an idea of how good it needs to be.
This coin is definitely not top grade. The reverses of most early 50's Jeffersons lack details and as such, full step examples are very rare. The OP coin's reverse is below average for this date.
It's a keeper but I would not send it in. TPG will not grade it has to much wear on the reverse and the obverse is a bit worn also.
Not worth grading at all. I have a number of graded Nickels MD-64 or higher and yours doesn't even come close to MS.
Weak strike, or wear and the coin was treated? I see the luster and realize you can't put that back once it's gone, and cleaning the coin would have done that, but both the obverse and reverse look worn more than a weak strike. It may be a nice coin, but I wouldn't spend the money to have it graded.
Possibly grease-filled die? That was my first impression when I saw the reverse. Another 'slim' possibility is a slightly thin planchet. What does it weigh? It should weigh exactly 5.000 grams, but there is an allowable variance (amount unknown to me) that a very slightly under-thickness planchet may still fall within? Here's my reverse of a thin or split planchet, and IMO, there's similarities (keep in mind mine is roughly half the normal thickness):
Im tellin ya, the coin is mint state. Literally the cleanest coin i have ever inspected in regards to contact marks. So technically it SHOULD be high MINT STATE. It is as close to as it came out of the press as I can imagine youll find..AND if HORRIBLY STRUCK had a grade, itd be a 68 on that scale too!!!hahaha....yall can see that with Ray Charles helpin out...so I think ya can understand why i was askin....too bad...the coin that makes it through 70years without a scratch has to be thalidomide baby...hahaha...no disrespect to thalidomide babies or anything....lol.....my luck..find a 1909s...someone tried to cut it....find an 84 dbl ear, huge gouge....aah such is life...lol
I can understand why you might think that. You just cant get enough detail usually from a pick to really pin some stuff down. Im not sayin im any coin genius or anything, but i believe Ive been doin this long enough to assure you this has seen no circulation and is as minted. Very well could have weak strike or grease filled die issues though...thanks!!!
I'd love to hear some of the experts' opinion is of this coin. I really think it was a thin planchet after staring at it for the last 10 minutes. There is also a die crack on the reverse from the lower left corner of Monticello (the building not the word) to the rim. The marks on the portico, Jeff's cheek, and Jeff's lower shoulder look (to me) like marks on the raw planchet that didn't get struck, but the overall coin doesn't look like a weak strike.
Its ok...Me and my poor little coin can take all the insults you can throw about how ugly she is...we know the lack of contact marks would stand up to nearly sll the other pretty swans out there!! Hahaha
I hadnt really considered any possibility of errors on this. I just know how awful some of the 50s jeffersons can be nd figured it was that. Under really close examination there are numerous signs of die abrasion lines and texture I believe to be die determination issues. Ill be home soon though and will weigh it. If theres anything else I can do to assist anyone in helping assess a possible error id, just let me know!!! Thanks for taking the time...