Do You Think This Jefferson Was Cleaned

As a novice collector I'm trying to educate my self as to condition and grading of coins. I came across this 1940 S Jefferson on ebay whose condition is stated as BU. However, when I look at the reverse the steps are basically non-existant. Based on this I'm leaning to the conclusion that this coin has been dipped or cleaned in some matter.

Your opinion?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jefferson-...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

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Non existent steps has nothing to do with dipping or cleaning. Many Jefferson’s don’t have full steps which is why you see the full steps designation as part of grading. The same goes for full heads and standing liberty quarters, full bell lines on franklins ect.

 

Dipping or cleaning isn't going to remove steps like that.

The steps are missing because they were never there. That is a very weak strike, and is very common on coins of this era. Notice how weak the lettering is around the rim, and how weak Jefferson's hair is on the other side.

You might be leaning towards cleaning because of the lines on the obverse, but those are die polish. They were made at the mint, and part of the coin as created.

I don't see any evidence of cleaning, and I think the coin is attractive enough to add to an album if you can get it at the right price.

 

what is it that leads you to believe that this coin has been cleaned?

There is absolutely no correlation between cleaning and step detail. In fact, many coins are missing the step detail simply because they steps are the last part of the design to strike and often metal failed to flow to that part of the die.

 

Haha, all three of us were posting the same thing at the same time.

 

Thanks for the quick and informative responses. I assumed that all nickels came from the mint with full steps and that the steps would show wear rather quickly. So I concluded that "shinny coin and no steps = cleaned or dipped" Like I stated in my post, I'm learning as I go.....

Thanks
Joe

 

It was even hard to find nice coins with full steps in the Mint sets. Today you are much more likely to come across full or nearly full steps when getting solid date rolls.

 

The reason that "Full Steps" nickels are so popular and garner such a premium is because *not* all of them come from the mint that way.

 

I'm not a nickel guy, but I would also look at that coin and say it was cleaned. I'm under the impression that there wouldn't be die polishing marks on Jefferson's cheek, as that is a recessed part of the die, unless I'm seeing hairlines that aren't actually there, or they are something other than hairlines. @physics-fan3.14 , what would you attribute the haitlines on Jefferson's cheeks to if not cleaning? (Asking from a 'seeking knowledge' standpoint, not disagreeing with you)

 

You know, that whole great minds think alike thing...

 

I can't say with any certainty what the hairlines on the cheek are on the OP's coin, since I don't have that coin in hand.

I can say with certainty, however, the popular myth that "die polish won't occur on the devices" is a lie. Die polish does occur on the devices. It probably won't occur on the lettering because the gap in the die is too small, but I've absolutely seen it on central devices such as the bust (as seen in the OP). It is less common, true, but it does occur.

See the below examples from my personal collection:

 

Thank you.

 

I totally agree as I have found many a Lincoln Cent with die polishing on the bust.

 

Well put together post. Excellent supporting images! Thanks @physics-fan3.14 I feel smarter already.

Reed.

 

So I looked closer at the OP's coin. The lines on the cheek actually look like they could be from a flaw in the planchet, and not hairlines at all. Whatever it is, it's a tough call.

 

Is that a die crack coming down from Washington's neck to the rim?

 

The auction has ended so I can no longer see the coin in question. Others have given you some solid advice. I just wanted to add something: Consider joining the American Numismatic Association and taking their correspondence courses. The very first one teaches you things like you're asking about -- how to spot cleaning, etc. It's a great course, and they are *finally* updating their correspondence courses.

 

No, I think it is a planchet streak or grease mark.

 

No.

Weakly struck and possibly with some slide marks on the cheek but could be die polish.

 

You surely weren't going to pay that much for a 1940 s nickel?