Picked up this lil' guy for my typeset. PCGS Pop - 116/0 This thing has a amazing strike on the reverse that for other than the gash in the steps, would be a full step coin. So you can say I bought a Full Strike non Full Step Jefferson without any of the FS Premium, which I'm happy with. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it though, the high points on the obverse seem to be a little messy. The toning is something I am mixed on too, seems to be more distracting than appealing to me. The photos do not show any of the color that are actually there, I'll need to take some time in taking better ones of it. Overall I'm pretty happy with it, but I'll keep my eyes open for a replacement.
This is that iridescent toning that I have been talking about that is so common on war nickels. The blue-green iridescence magically transforms into yellows and pinks (usually) when rotated under a light source. The effect is so pronounced that it often looks like two completely different coins turning this: into this However, if you really don't like the eye appeal of the coin, I would not keep it. While I understand your point about the strike, the gash across the steps seems large enough to me to call the MS67 grade into question. What colors do you see on the coin?
Fantastic pickup. There are not too many 1943-S MS-67 coins out there. And with the toning to boot....that's a great buy. Although I hate to challenge the master, I disagree ever-so-slightly with Lehigh's statement about iridescent toning on war nickels being "so common." While there are many examples of this beautiful style of toning, it is far from common. Perhaps it is common among MS-67 examples; I haven't seen that many.
This coin seemed impossible to capture correctly. So I changed the camera setup a little. I first switched to a single light source, which seemed to capture the color contrast more. I also increased the exposure slightly on the camera. And lastly I put the coin at a small angle, maybe a 5 degree angle. This is what I came up with. Lehigh: At one, very small angle there is a brilliant burst of Orange->Green->Blue->Purple radiating towards the center. But alas it is only at a small angle and doesn't depict the coin 95% of the time thus is why it doesn't show in the photos. This angle and color is what you see most of the time.
That is a good point. Common is a relative term. Compared to regular issue Jefferson Nickels, this green-blue iridescent toning is rather common, but it is still a rare occurrence across the board. I currently own about 10 of these iridescent toned war nickels.
Well I like your new addition! Of course that gash takes a bit away from it, I'm not gonna lie about it, but the toning makes it quite the looker. Maybe it'll grow on you or maybe you'll sell and make a few greenbacks. :thumb:
