While I am leaning to a type II (rev of 40), I am not well versed in this and would like other opinions. Does it really make any difference, since the Denver strikes were about 50% of each type? Also some idea of grade would be appreciated. I think this coin was handled by a kid the last couple of days and I wonder if I should wash it in acetone to kill any oil from her fingers.
added pic I guess if I asked for a grade, I need to put up a picture of the obverse also. Hard to edit with the add streaming down the center.
You have a gorgeous 1939-D Reverse of 40 Jefferson Nickel. From those photos, I see absolutely nothing that would hold this coin back from getting an MS67 grade from NGC. I think it would be toss up between MS66/67 from PCGS. This coin has no chance at full steps from either TPG. Regardless, you have a coin worth $125+ and I highly advise that you keep it out of the hands of children. I will post a photo of my 1939-D Reverse of 40 NGC MS67 so that you have something to compare yours to. This is also my avatar. The only concern I have about your coin is that the angle of the photograph could be hiding some very minor flaws. Otherwise, it is superb!
Thank you very much. That is a beautiful coin you have. I may submit it for grading. I have never done that with a coin, but it seems it may be worth doing with this one. I am in a quandry whether to wash it with acetone, as I am not positive it was touched.
It is the 1940 reverse, as has already been said. One way to tell is to look at the top step of Monticello. On the 1940 reverse, it will be thicker than the other steps. On the 1938 reverse, it will be about the same as the other steps.
Thank you for that info. It is the most definitive description of how to tell that I now have. In my searches, they mostly talked about the strength of the strike.
You are most welcome. I typically don't bother telling people about the the wavy-step/straight step definition, because if you haven't seen it before, or if the coin is worn, it can be hard to tell. The top step thickness is a dead giveaway.
I have a 39 P with contained full steps, appears to be rev of 40. Is it worth anything? Or is it just the Denver that is?
is there any other way to tell? i am putting together a circulated set and, well, finding a '39 in a roll with steps is not easy.
1939's will have either rev of 38 or the rev of 40 (meaning there is no such thing as a 39 with a rev of 39, it's going to be Type I or Type II reverse)
so would this be a 38 rev or 40 rev? I need to take batter pics it looks much better in hand. I just put it on the scanner and the dark area on the bottom of the steps is something the scanner did it's not dark under magnification.
