I recently acquired one of my most sought after Jefferson Nickels, a 1940-S in MS67 5FS. I already had both the 1940 & 1940-D in MS67 6FS. Each of these coins is a top pop and the combined population of all three including both PCGS and NGC examples is (184/0). The PCGS price guide total for these three coins in MS67 is $5,525. I assembled this short set in NGC holders for under $600. The PCGS price guide for these three coins in MS66 is $375 Here are the populations broken down by date and TPG service. 1940-P:-----NGC:--(22)-----PCGS:--(28)-------Total:--(50)------ PCGS Price: $850 1940-D:-----NGC:--(15)-----PCGS:--(108)------Total:--(123)-----PCGS Price: $175 1940-S:-----NGC:--(3)------PCGS:--(8)--------Total:--(11)-------PCGS Price: $4,500 The total number of NGC examples is 40 compared to the 144 of PCGS. While NGC grades Jefferson's more liberally than PCGS, I would only need one of the three to cross in order to realize a significant financial gain. These coins are now part of my NGC registry set and I have no intention of selling them, but it is still prudent to think about the possibilities. Here are photos of the three coins. Each coin has it's own personality. The first is remarkably struck with a lustrous even champagne iridescence. The 1940-D is bright gold, frosty, and hails from the famous Compradore collection. The 1940-S is a satin beauty with intermingled almond and dove grey patina. Often times when looking for registry coins, I will set smaller goals within the larger set. This was one of my goals, to complete the year 1940 with each example have at least 5 full steps. The 1100 registry points ain't bad either. What do you guys think? Does anyone else set small goals within their registry sets?
What do I think? I think that I'd prefer matching coins to matching slabs any day of the week. On your second question... I have had some small goals, for instance to complete my Ike dollars collection in "TOP-POP Minus 1" grade (where I think/thought the most value lies), but in most of my more recent collecting I'm less of a registry follower and more of a collector whose interest intersects with a few registry sets, if that makes sense (and not to say one way is necessarily any better than the other).
nice set Lehigh....yes for sure the 40's is a tough set to put togther in high grades. As for the price paid do you carry a gun? LOL great deal for sure. as for setting goals yes I do my last goal was my Felix Schlag display board I only need the souvenir card to complete my collection. I have only about 20 % TPG nickels but a hoard of very top of the line MS Jeffersons FS I have two 1971 S no S one graded as a proof 67 DC the other is in a proof set. I just finished e mailing Spencer a lot of pictures of all the varieties of Jefferson nickels for his site. Let me know if you ever spot the card....I love to add one to the rest of the collection. Regards Paddy
Beautiful nickels. It's a great short-set. I don't set the types of goals that you do. I do set goals such as one MS and one PF Jefferson for my set. Then I go looking for coins that I need. I'll buy whatever I think is the best bargain that I find at the time.
Mike, With my penchant for toned coins, I don't think obtaining matching coins other than in grade is really possible. I prefer that the coins look different. It is almost like each one is saying "look at me" in their own way. I don't like comparing coins to women but blondes, brunettes, and redheads can all be beautiful even though they don't look alike. Then again, there is nothing wrong with wanting three blondes instead of one of each either.
I like the way you think. That's a neat way to go about it so each one stands out in it's own way. You're putting together some monster sets! I can't wait to see them in 10 years. Top of the line stuff. When it comes to coins and women, I don't know how anybody can have a preference when viewing PQ examples.
Paddy, Regarding the price I paid, this should really bust your buttons. Click the link of the following auction. Look at the price and then look at the certification #. Then look back at my coin. No kidding, I really did pay less than $600 for all three. http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=454&Lot_No=836#photo I upgraded my 1940 from a 5FS to a 6FS last month. I paid $350 for the 5FS and $184 for the 6FS. Here is a photo of the now duplicate 1940 NGC MS67 5FS. BTW, what is this souvenir card you are talking about. I know what the display board looks like. Do you have a photo of the card?
The card is shown on page 130 of the guide book of Buffalos & Jefferson Nickels. As for your collection you have put together a very nice set of Jeffersons. Being old school from the days of no TPG's I have done it bass backwards! I am a member of both PCGS & NGC I now need to start sorting again thru all of the nickels I have horded both MS & PF and define the best one to submit. I'll work on the proofs first...a tad bit easyer due to the amount of coins DUH! Now I have set aside most of my better coins in kointains & flips in a binder but still wil recheck my surplus to be sure I get the bigest bang from my grading buck! Your link is not openning for me but I'm going to give it another shot. Regards Paddy got it up OMG! You are the Jessie James of Jeffersons!
A classic and beautiful Piece of history. I think there is something special about world war II coins. While a lot of us were not around or directly involved in this war effort, our parents or grand parents were. Very nice set and a great price.
even though it's got only 5 steps, I like the S mint coin the best. Color and strike (reverse) are exceptional as well as virtually mark-free surfaces.
I think the overall eye appeal of the 1940-S superior to that of the other coins. The strike is absolutely hammered even if the 6th step is incomplete. I will say that I did not really have a choice though. The population of the 1940-S in MS67 FS is 11/0 with only three being NGC coins. The PCGS examples sell for $2-$5K and I have very little confidence in the PCGS FS designation. That is a hefty premium to pay for a coin that costs $200 without full steps. I was extremely fortunate to acquire this piece. This discussion has given me an idea for a thread about registry collection strategy. I will start a new thread soon.
One of my recent pickups in the 2011 FUN Sale was an upgrade to my 1940 Jefferson Nickel Short set. I decided to re-image the set and update this post including the upgraded 1940-S NGC MS67 6FS. Enjoy!
