Your Favorite Five Cent Piece

What United States five cent nickel coin design do you like the most? If you collect them, feel free to describe your own collection with pictures and what not. I'd also be interested in your personal ranking of the nickels.

Personally, I like Shield Nickels and Buffalo Nickels in particular. Shield Nickels are my favorite design (but the buffalo nickel is a very close second).

My personal ranking:
1. Shield
2. Buffalo
3. Liberty
4. Westward Journey - Bison
5. Jefferson Nickel - Classic Version
6. Westward Journey - Peace
7. Westward Journey - Keelboat
8. Jefferson Nickel - New Version
9. Westward Journey - Ocean

United States Nickels

 

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With only 1 pick

I pick Buffalo. but Jefferson nickel 1938-2003 would be my second pick

 

I never cared much for nickels, perhaps because they don't start until 1866 and because there are very few rare dates (1877 and a few others). Over the 140 year span, there only have been 4 basic types, although the V and Buffalo (actually bison) designs do have a classic look. Another reason I don't particularily care for them is that mint state and proof nickels tend to spot (I HATE spotted nickel/copper).

 

The only difference from your list is I would put Jefferson classic nickel 4th - and then the rest really would not matter to me.

 

I'd rank Buffalo nickels as my favorite design but Jeffersons are my favorite to collect.

 

The Buffalo has always been my favorite...outside of some of the really early half dimes.

 

I sort of figured the Buffalo Nickel would take the cake. I didn't think I was the only one who thought it was an extremely attractive design. Although the Bison on the Westward Journey nickels was O.K., just lacking in relief a bit.

 

I agree, I think this as been a problem with most of the modern designs. They are painfully low relief. Although the reverse of the new nickel is a higher relief which is nice.

 

I think the relief is lower on moderns because not too long ago they stopped making coins with a basin and opted for level surfaces to strike on. Don't quite know why they made the switch, but it doesn't allow for very high reliefs.
Guy~

 

I have to say, I'm a fan of the Liberty Nickel

 

Bad news for collectors. The designs of automobiles seem to be following the same boring trend, unfortunately. I guess going to coin shows in a Chevelle would't be all bad, huh?

 

Me too!!! And since the OP chose not to put one in the first post, here you go:

My old one:


And my new one:

 

Although I generally agree with you...there are some new automobile designs out there.

The Liberty Head is a very close second favorite for me. I love that design and your examples are beautiful!

 

Uhh.... I find it odd that you ask what our favorite five cent piece is and then leave off the first 70 years of five cent pieces. Just because they weren't made of nickel, were a different size, and called something different doesn't mean anything....

Of those you posted, the Liberty nickel is the best. I find it to be far superior to the rest of Barber's coinage. However, given a complete choice, I will go for the Capped Bust every time. Here are the ones you forgot (all pics from Wikipedia):

Flowing Hair, 1794-1795



Draped Bust, Small Eagle, 1796-1797



Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle, 1800-1805


Capped Bust, 1829-1837



Seated Liberty, 1837-1873

 

I probably should have just put Favorite Nickel instead of Five Cent Piece. I really do like the Draped Bust (Heraldic Eagle). Too bad the poll only gives a 10 option maximum though. I guess I should have just omitted the Westward Journey pieces and included only the major 5 cent pieces. DOH. :computer:

I did put one in there but sometimes Imageshack has it's problems with loading images. Nonetheless, those are some pretty Liberty Nickels! :thumb:

 

I'm just giving you a hard time. Don't pay me any mind

 

Yeah, the limits to 10 can be kind of a pain. I did a similar series of polls for each denomination about a year ago and I just ignored the Westward Journey series completely. Although, the Buffalo Nickel won that poll as well. If you are interested, here are the results:

http://www.cointalk.com/t44756/

 

My favorite nickel design is the Jefferson Nickel. While I like the Buffalo design, and they are commonly found with attractive toning, they are very expensive in the gem mint state grades. I personally find both the Liberty and Shield nickel designs very boring and don't own an example of either. The modern designs would fall at the bottom of the list for me. The lower relief of the coins just makes them appear very cheap IMO.

I currently hold the 6th ranked set of Jefferson Nickels (1938-1964) and the 2nd ranked set of Jefferson War Nickels in the NGC registry. The collections are named the Atlantic City Set because I wanted to acknowledge the income source for my collection. I play middle limit poker ($20-$40 limit) and use my winnings to fund my collecting habit. If anyone would like to view my collections please click on the links below.





I cant list all of the coins from my collection in this thread so I have decided just to post photos and descriptions of some of the highlights. I will list the coins in date order below.

1941-D NGC MS67* 5FS: Population (160/1)



Description:
A truly phenomenal coin. Lime green, apple red, orange, and lemon yellow cover the obverse in an incredibly beautiful intermingled pattern. The center of the reverse is bright pink, yielding to lavender, lime green, yellow and orange. An immensely attractive high grade full step Jefferson

This coin is the most attractive non war nickel in my entire collection. Every aspect of this coin is superlative and the eye appeal is off the charts. The population of this coin is not rare by Jefferson nickel standards, but good luck finding a finer example of the issue.


1943-P "Doubled Eye Variety" NGC MS67 DDO VP-002 5FS: Population (3/0)



Description:
FS-106, formerly FS-029. Jefferson's eye is prominently die doubled on this well known war nickel Guide Book variety. The obverse legends are also doubled, including the date. Brilliant and beautiful with clean surfaces. NGC Census: 1 in 67 Five Full Steps, 0 finer regardless of step count (6/09). There are two known PCGS examples graded MS67 5FS bringing the total population to (3/0).

This coin is technically the rarest in my collection, but not the most expensive. To see one of the PCGS examples of this coin, please click this link.
http://www.cointalk.com/t50884/




1943/2-P PCGS MS65 5FS: Population (40/23)




Description:
FS-101, formerly FS-028. Another of the dual-hubbing errors that seemed to pop up during both World Wars at the Mint, this is technically a Doubled Die Obverse as well as an overdate. The lower curve of the underdigit 2 is readily apparent under a glass, and doubling is visible on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. According to Fivaz and Stanton, the reverse is also a tripled die. A medley of soft violet, ice-blue, and lilac patina resides on highly lustrous surfaces. This sharply and uniformly struck Gem is nicely preserved. Population: 40 in 65 Full Steps, 23 finer (2/09).

While I personally think the overdate is over hyped, it is an essential part of any Jefferson Nickel collection.



1943-S NGC MS68*: Population (5/0)



Description:
Milky golden centers are surrounded by a melange of iridescent colors inlcuding lavender, lime green, sapphire, lemon yellow, and tangerine. A fully lustrous and minimally abraded example with a solid strike that just misses the 5FS designation. The 1943-S is the most challenging war nickel to locate with rainbow toning.

This coin is the highest graded, rarest (non-variety), and most expensive coin in my collection.



1944-P NGC MS67 5FS: Population (18/0)



Description:
Shimmering iridescent streaks of tangerine, yellow, lime green, and strawberry pink patina blanket the obverse of this spectacular full step Jefferson. The only significant distraction on the coin is the mark on Jefferson's collar. An excellent strike, captivating luster, and wildly eye appealing; a better example of this date may be impossible to find.

I consider this my best financial bargain of my collection. Feel free to search the Heritage archives to see what I paid compared to the sale price in May 2005.


1944-D NGC MS67 T: Population (2022/3)



Description:
A phenomenal toned Jefferson from the famous Appalachian Hoard. This coin is outstanding in every respect. Near flawless surfaces, booming luster, and excellent strike account for the grade. However, the incredible toning makes this coin one of the most eye appealing Jefferson Nickels in existence. The obverse is bathed in commingled orange gold, bright pink, light green, and aquamarine. The reverse is impressively toned in several shades of green and pink. This coin is in it's original old generation holder with the T designation for exceptional toning. Upon resubmission this coin will (100%) obtain the star status and a 5FS designation.


This coin defines the struggle between collectors who disagree about the premium prices that rainbow toned coins realize in the market. On the one side, the point of the rainbow toned coin collector is evident. The population for date/mm & grade might be 2,000, but how many do you think will look like this spectacular coin. In terms of eye appeal this coin has a population in single digits and it's price will reflect that fact. On the contrary, given the provenance of this coin and that it is widely considered to be AT, the naysayers point is proven simultaneously.




1952 NGC MS67: Population (14/0)




Description:

A monster toned obverse with intermingled shades of lemon yellow, tangerine, rasbperry, grass green, periwinkle, violet, and sandy tan. The reverse is more subtly toned in pastel yellow, blue, violet, tan, and blushes of magenta.

Destiny of a 1952 Jefferson Nickel

In March 2009, a collector decided to part with his 1952 Jefferson Nickel NGC MS67. This is a coin with a total population of (14/0) and a Numismedia Price of $220. Naturally, he chose Heritage to handle the sale of his coins and the saga of the 1952 Jeff began. Once I saw the photo of this remarkably toned nickel, I knew I had to have it. Heritage is notorious for failing to do toned coins justice with their assembly line photographs. I could tell from the photo and the subtle hints of color that this coin was a spectacular iridescent toned monster whose true colors could not be captured by a straight on photo. A true gambler, I decided that I would place a ridiculous bid of $1,000 that would surely secure this coin's future. To my surprise at auctions end, I was outbid by $100 and the final price realized with buyers premium was $1265. Here is a link to the auction.

http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=69031&Lot_No=61142


For months I sulked over the fact that I probably let the finest toned 1952 Jefferson Nickel in existence slip through my fingers. I never imagined that another collector would come down with auction fever to usurp my ridiculous bid. Did he even know what a monster he had just purchased, maybe he did. To add insult to injury, last month, I found the new residence of the Jeff. It belonged in another NGC registry set. And as upsetting as that was, I was completely dismayed when I saw the collector's photo. All I could think to myself is that justice had not been served and nobody should keep a Jefferson of this quality in the dark.

Then out of nowhere, as if the numismatic gods themselves intervened, the 1952 Jeff showed up in a DLRC auction. Perhaps the only company with worse photos of toned coins than Heritage is DLRC. Again, the straight on photography on showed hints of the monster iridescent color that I knew laid on the surface of this premium gem.

I thought to myself, there is no way that lightning strikes twice. Nobody in their right mind would outbid me based on this photo. They would have to have seen both photos and even then, they would have to be a little crazy. I had convinced myself and for the second time in 6 months placed my ridiculous bid of $1,000. I fully expected to be outbid in some sort of cruel joke, but the bid never came. At auctions end, the coin was mine for a price of $195.50. Could this be true. Could I actually have picked up this coin for less than wholesale. Joy of joys it was true!

When I picked the coin up from the post office I was greeted by one of the most fantastically toned Jeffersons I have ever seen. While both Heritage and DLRC's photos were technically accurate, they failed to capture the true beauty of the coin. From a straight view, both of their photos are decidedly an accurate representation of the coin's actual appearance. But once rotated under a light, a different coin reveals itself.

Without a doubt the best story contained within my collection. This coin represents why I think the Jefferson series is under appreciated. A scant population of 14 and the wholesale price is $220. For those of you that are thinking, what about the population of the FS examples, there are none in this grade.



1942-P Type Two NGC PF66 CAMEO: Population (5/4)



Description:
Cameo proof coins from 1936-1942 are exceedingly rare for any denomination. There have only been 12 cameo proof silver war nickels graded by either service, and only four have been graded higher than the present example. In addition, this coin is the only cameo war nickel graded by NGC in PF66. The CAC sticker gives confirmation that the grade including the cameo designation are well deserved

This coin has a great story about the CAC. To read that story please read post #16 in the following thread.

http://www.cointalk.com/t43818-2/





Now I know this was a very long post and I appreciate those of you who read the entire entry but it certainly cant be considered my fault. Blame the OP, once I start talking about Jefferson Nickels, I cant stop. I wonder if any have a new found respect for this series after reading this. I hope!

 

Judging by your user name, I have a real good idea which new auto you're referring to. Of course I work at a GM dealer, and I fully realize I cannot afford one of those!!!
P.S: They are pretty quick, too!!!

 

That is one that comes to mind...I can think of a couple others. But, my prize is a classic muscle car from the 60s.