Jefferson Nickel Modifications Not varieties or errors (no matte proofs, no overstrikes, no double dies, etc.). As you know the first Jefferson Head Nickels were struck in 1938 at all three mint locations: 1. Philadelphia 2. Denver 3. San Francisco As any article needs a starting point, let's begin this one with photos of the original 1938 nickels so we have a reference point to compare with the modifications. Unless noted otherwise, all photos in this article are courtesy of Coin Page (coinpage.com). The original Jefferson Nickels struck at Philadelphia bore no mint marks as evidenced by the following photos: 1938 JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL OBVERSE (no mint mark) 1938 JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL REVERSE (no mint mark): The branch mints did place mint marks on Jefferson Head Nickels. Their D or S mint mark is located on the reverse of the Nickel to the right of the building Monticello: 1938-D JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL REVERSE All Jefferson Head Nickels from 1938 through 1941 were composed of .750 Copper and .250 Nickel. Before we go on, there is something you should know. In 1938, the 25th year of the Buffalo Nickel motif, it was decided to replace it with a new design. A public competition was announced with a prize of $1,000 to be awarded to the winner. Eventually 390 plaster models were submitted. Felix Schlag, a German immigrant who settled in Chicago nine years earlier, was announced the winner on April 24th. Even though Schlag's designs won the contest, the federal Fine Arts Commission rejected his design for the reverse of the coin. Schlag had captured the more artistic perspective in a side view of the mansion, but the commission insisted on a full frontal depiction minus the landscaping. Such a major design change required a new thinner style of lettering to be used on the coin, as well as a huge risk in the loss of detail on the building's facade due to the depth of relief required. A refusal to comply would mean a forfeiture of the prize money, so Felix Schlag did what was demanded of him. With the design changes completed, production began in the second week of September 1938. About halfway through 1939 the reverse design was slightly modified resulting in two different varieties; Type I with reverse of 1938 and type II with reverse of 1940. Here's photos of both types: 1939 JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL TYPE I (Reverse of 1938) 1939 JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL TYPE II (Reverse of 1940) Denver and Philadelphia struck Copper-Nickel Jefferson Head Nickels in 1942; 13,938,000 business strikes at Denver and 49,789,000 at Philadelphia. Philadelphia also minted 29,600 proofs. These Philadelphia 1942 Copper- Nickel coins are referred to as Type I because on October 8, 1942 the composition of Jefferson Head Nickels was temporarily modified (changed) to a composition of 66 per cent Copper, 35 per cent Silver and 9 per cent Manganese as Nickel was in great demand for America's involvement in World War II. In 1938 Philadelphia produced 57,873,000 coins for circulation and 27,600 proofs referred to as Type II. San Francisco struck 32,900,000 for circulation. Regarding the Type I and Type II 1942 Nickels, only the Philadelphia mint struck coins are noted as such (business strikes and proofs) because of the fact that San Francisco didn't strike any .250 nickel composition coins and Denver didn't mint any .350 silver composition coins. Another modification, besides the Wartime composition, was made to those 35 per cent Silver Jefferson Head Nickels struck after October 8, 1942 through 1945; the size and placement of the Mint Marks. The mint marks were enlarged and placed above the building. Another important modification to the Wartime Nickels was the inclusion of a P mint mark for Philadelphia: 1942-P JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL REVERSE 1942-S JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL REVERSE In 1946 Nickel coinage returned to the regular composition and mint mark placement of the pre-wartime Nickels was replaced to the right of the building (no Philidelphia mint mark): 1946-S JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL REVERSE 1946 JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL REVERSE STRUCK AT PHILADELPHIA (no mint mark) NOTE: The United States government's decision to change the composition of the silver coinage in 1965 resulted in a massive coin shortage for three years. The Nickels for 1965, 1966 and 1967 were produced without mintmarks. A design modification to the Monticello building on the Nickel's reverse in 1965 was made to strengthen and define its detail. 1965 Jefferson Head Nickel Reverse The next modification occurred in 1966 when Felix Slag's (designer of the Jefferson Nickel) initials (JS) were added to the obverse below Jefferson: 1966 JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL OBVERSE 1968 saw a change in the location of the mint mark on the coins produced at the branch mints ( from reverse to the obverse below date). Photo courtesy of coastcoin.com 1968-S JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL OBVERSE The next change to the Jefferson Nickel came about in 1971 when Jefferson's powdered wig and ribbon were modified. 1971 JEFFERSON NICKEL OBVERSE More modifications to the powdered wig and ribbon were made in 1972: 1972 JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL OBVERSE 1980 ushered in another modification for Jefferson Nickels struck at Philadelphia; For the first time since 1942 a P mint mark was placed on all Nickels minted there located just after the date where it's been located since. Photo courtesy of Coin Page (coinpage.com): 1981-P JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL OBVERSE Further powdered wig and ribbon modifications came about on the 1977 and 1982 Nickels 1977 JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL OBVERSE Next photo courtesy of coastcoin.com: 1982 JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL OBVERSE The next major modifications came about in 2004 with the striking of the Keelboat and Peace Medal reverses. Photos courtesy of Coin Page: 2004-P JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL (Lewis and Clark Keelboat Reverse) 2004-P JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL (Louisana Purchase Peace Medal Reverse) This was followed by two more reverse modifications in 2005 Plus a newly designed obverse of Jefferson . Coin Page Photos: 2005-S JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL (American Bison Reverse) 2005-S Jefferson Head Nickel (Ocean In View Reverse) The 2006 Jefferson Head Nickel kept the ¾ full face front design of Jefferson, but returned to the Monticello reverse. However, the Monticello mansion was given a face lift with quality detailing that was missing from the original. 2006-S JEFFERSON HEAD NICKEL (Return to Monticello Reverse Did you know? Clinker
1938 proof Jefferson nickel Fleix Schlag display pannel one of only 150 made by Schlag. Lokk close the picture in the upper right is the design Schlag summitted and won the compeition.
I read this the other day, liked it but forgot to comment...the mind is a strange thing. Good work there Clinker
Yes Clinker..... I did want to thank you for such a great read as I am a nickel collector. I will print it out and put it with my Jefferson collection. I did not intend to over shadow your read but most people don't know about the true winning design by Schlag. I really truely wish the Treasury Dept. went with his Art Deco design. Some of the best coinage from the US Mint were the coins with the art deco designs IMHO! You know what would be the bomb.....if the mint used the orginal design to produce a maybe just a one year set using the orginal design...OMG it be a sell out in no time flat. Wish I knew how to set of a poll on that topic.....I bet members in here would who don't even collect Jeffersons would buy a set of "2013" The 75 annversary of the Jefferson Nickels if they were minted as Schlag had intended them to be.
Ok some one help me out here..I like to post a poll attached to this thread regarding how many members would be interested in a 75th year Jefferson Nickel minted by the US mint as designed by Fleix Schlag. The art deco design that won him the rights to be stated the designer of the Jefferson. Not the redesign he was made to do before the nickel went to mint. The nickel could be made of the comp of the orginal nickel or struck in silver to mark the 75 year of the design and the Jefferson nickel. Can someone show me how to post a poll? Thanks
Great post. Im aware of the older reverse & actually prefer it to the style we have now. But typical modern coins...*yawn*. Wasnt super aware of the different type changes either.
I think you can only post a poll if you are the originator of the thread. I suggest that you start your own thread and post your poll. I think it is a great idea, but I also think you are late. Getting this done by 2013 is going to be very challenging indeed. FWIW, add my name to the list. I would love to have one. In fact, I would like to have one of the privately minted JFSNC coins.
