Which NGC 1948-D Jefferson Nickel do you prefer?

Shown below are three NGC graded 1948-D Jefferson Nickels. Please vote in the attached poll indicating which coin your prefer and if you feel like opining on the grade of each nickel, do so in your reply to the thread.


Coin #1: Gold Toner




Coin #2: Rainbow Toner




Coin #3: Pastel Toner

 

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@kSigSteve , @Lem E , @Morgandude11 , @Collecting Nut

 

Love that rainbow toner!

 

I absolutely love #2. The colors are incredible. All three are beautiful, but #2 would deserve a star from NGC. Grades: #1- 65+ some graininess prevents ultra gem. #2-67* absolutely beautiful. Just shy of FS. #3. 67 Shy of FS.

 

3,2,1 in that order.

#1 has the mushiest strike and the most common (kind of generic) color. If it was markedly cleaner than the second two, it would be part of the conversation. Since it's not, time to find a new home.

#2 has stronger color than #3, so that's a slight edge. The planchet looks rough on TJ's jawline and cheekbone though, plus a few distracting marks (right lower field by the date, one hidden by the light on his temple, a few in his hair) place it behind coin #3 in terms of condition. #3 has a couple distracting hits on TJ's cheek/jaw, but his "skin" is much, much smoother than #2. On the reverse, I feel like I want to give coin #2 a slight edge over coin #3 in both strike and condition, but not enough to overcome the lead #3 had on the obverse.

If they were in hand, it might just be a toss-up between #2 and #3 for me, and I'd probably want to keep both. If I had to choose, if one had more luster than the other I'd go with that one, but given the photos (they both look like they have plenty of luster, although #2 reminds me of a coin of mine that's shines for days - if it has the same knockout luster as mine, that's the winner) I'm leaning #3. #1 would be sold without hesitation.

Feel like they're all 67's. #1 has nicest steps but a distinct hit between column 3 and 4. #2 I don't see at FS at all, although I've seen PCGS FS that are like this one. #3 has more contact marks on the steps, but they're light enough it might just be a FS. Looks like the detail is there.

Summary: I'd want to keep #2 and #3, and sell #1, and it's not even close.
Thank you for sharing, as usual.

 

2-1-3

 

+1 could not have said it better

 

I like #3 best. It is a hair between #2 and #3. I actually initially liked #2 best because I usually just go with my gut and my initial first impression from a 3 second look over.

#1 was an easy rule out. Looks like a plain jane 66 from worn dies.

#2 looks like a solid 66+ and I would not mind it in a 67 slab but I think it falls just short whether it be due to strike or contact marks. I could see it in a 67 slab based on eye appeal alone but in hand I feel this coin is a bit more lack luster than #3.

#3 initially seemed like an overexposed photo of the coin. If you know Paul his photos are pretty representative of the coins look in hand. For this I felt the coin #3 has blazing luster that does not compare to the others. I think coin #3 could sit in a 67+ slab and I would not complain a bit.

 

This is a great breakdown on both coins and mirrors my opinion of both exactly.

 

It was a toss up between two and three for me. In the end, number two is the one I would choose for the colors alone. That thing definitely stands out from the others.

 

I'll take the ugly one then. 1 has the best steps and less planchet roughness on the bust than the other 2.

 

#3 for me, I like the subtle toning.

 

I have little familiarity w/ the series but #1 appears to be the weaker struck of the three. #2 seems to have the best strike w/ #3 closely behind. #2 Seems to have the best luster imo based on photos. #3's cheek hit stands out. Take market appeal into consideration and I'm voting #2.

 

I liked the toned one best (#2)

My thought was all three are MS 66 (all miss 5FS)...
#1 is relatively standard...clean but strike looks weaker compared to the others (and no color)...66 seems right
#2 might get a bump for color to 67 but it has some planchet roughness on the cheek so back down to 66 (no star as is expected with most nickels)
#3 looks to have the best luster and that might also push it up to 67 but a few scattered hits take it back down to 66 (I'd say 66+ but the plus isn't super common either)

 

I like No. 2 though I really don’t collect toners. I’ll make an exception in this case and grade it 66.

 

To clarify my comments, all 3 are very attractive. If I were buying one of the 3 coins, it would be #2, because of the exceptional toning. One does not see that quality of rainbow toning on Jeffersons all that often. The toning on #2 is exceptional. All three of the coins are very close in grade—no more than 1 grade separates all three of them, IMHO. I would have gone 67* on number 2.

 

Yeah, I think having slept on my answer I'd probably lean toward #2 today as well.

 

No doubt for me. The Pastel toner has the best eye appeal. Early die state with nice frosty luster and a good strike.

 

If we are being asked which one we like the best for toning, ignoring the grade of the coin, I would choose #2.

 

Does this mean you think #2 is lower graded than the other two?