As you may or may not know, I work in a convenience store and I see a lot of change, including nickels. I collect every 1960 and older nickel that I find. I've noticed a few things. Nickels from the late '90s on look very different than '70s and older coins. Is this because the newer coins are weakly struck? 1964 nickels are the bane of my existence. Often I'll see a nickel and think "40s nickel!" and it will end up being a '64. I find more '64 nickels than pretty much every other year. 1938 Jefferson nickels and 1950 nickels are scarce in circulation. Low mintage and hoarding are the likely culprits. Old circulated nickels, especially from before 1950, have a lovely patina. I can often tell a '40s nickel by just looking at the reverse. Was the metal content changed ever so slightly? I love collecting Jefferson nickels. They are underrated and overlooked and prewar specimens are easilly found in circulation. What have you noticed about early Jefferson nickels?
Definitely an under-appreciated coin. I've always liked nickels myself. It's a unique coin in that it's very think in proportion to its diameter. This makes the coin feel solid (at least to me). I also prefer its smooth edge over reed edged coins. If you like toning (not a huge fan of it although I've come to like it more with time), the nickel seems to look best toned. Lastly, it has a lot of potential in composition value exceeding face value in the near future. That alone should be an attractive quality.
I love pre-Jefferson nickels as well. The buffalo nickel is funky but unfortunately doesn't age well. The V nickel is a classic, and the reverse of the shield nickel is one of my favorite reverses of all time.
Pretty much all Jeffs are weakly struck, but there are few exceptions. As to your question, it helps if you have a basic understanding of the design changes that have occurred over the years. From Mike Locke - 1938 Jefferson, recessed top step, small obverse star Steps are most noticeably different at the ends. Later hub has the center 4 steps "in a box" and not touching anything. 1939-1956,1959-1965 Jefferson, no initials, box around steps, larger star 1939 exists with the reverse of 1938. 1940-D comes well struck in this date range. ?? It is not clear if the hub of 1959 is the same or different than the hub of 1939? They sure look the same. 1942-1945 As above, silver alloy Another planchet variety. 1957-1958 Large star on obverse 1966 Jefferson, initials added (obv next, rev previous) Very tough to find really nice and fully struck. Possibly the most expensive nickel in this set with full strike (Ramapaugh estimated $200 for a five stepper=not quite fully struck) 1967-1970 Jefferson, Door, window lines and porch strengthened 1971-1972 Reverse revised, tops of doors & windows angled, top step thinned 1971 come well struck 1972-1976 (not 1972 prf) Obverse revised, adams apple reshaped 1977-1981 Obv and rev revised, hair and doors strengthened 1982-1989 Obv & rev revised, letters thinner, details sharper There have been subsequent changes since then.
I have been saving old Jefferson Nickels my self. I'm not sure if they have changed the metal content but the older ones, 40s & 50s, feel more silvery, or heavy, maybe? They just feel different. This is my little Old Jefferson Stash
