I was looking through the KP World coin catalog in the U.S. under Jefferson nickels under the MS 65 column and noticed that a number of dates with higher values are on coins with pretty high if not higher minting numbers like the 1949, 51, 54-D, a few of the S mm, on in to the 70s and 80s The answer is probably pretty obvious but I'm kinda tired and its not registering at present
When a coin has a high mintage, people don't put any away because they think that they will be common, and not valuable. The 1950-D is the best example. Everyone knew it was a key date when released and so finding a circulated one is nearly impossible. But look for a roll of BU 1950 P's, and it will be tough.
The 50 D were horded durring the late 50's early 1960's and yes correct very few if any were found in circulation, until much later. The list price for a 1950 D Jefferson nickel in the 1964 Red Book $10.00 EF and 15.00 in unc. However finding a xf 1950 D next to impossible very few found....you needed to complete your collection by buying an unc. For most cases over red book list price. As a Jefferson collector I can tell you nickels can be very confusing in prices or value. So let's start in 1960 and a need for a 50 D Jefferson nickel. Since these were horded finding one in the first place was a chore. Next one must realize that $15 USD in 1960 adjust for inflation was equal in buying power to $150.00 usd today! However today the same nickel in ms 64 full steps can be found for $20/25 usd....in today's money buying power.....! Imagine the loss in value "on paper" you taken having purchased an 1950 D unc. in 1960. I find Jefferson nickels and Franklin halves in the same position in this hobby. Neither have a following as other series do,yes they are collected but most collectors set their sights on other more popular series. Now the ironic part of the last statement is.....here are two nice series to collect. Sets can easily be completed in unc. MS. conditions, for reasonable amount of investment. Both series also do command moon money on high grade Full step nickels and full bell lines halves! Both have varieties that are well sought after,and also command higher values. It is unfortunate that some dates as well varieties have fallen in price points. However one doesnt buy stock at a high market price ,one either dollar cost average on purchases ,or buys low. That said perhasp while walking a show and a super nice specimen is available at a good price why not buy it? As perhasp the market will change and you purchased low. Kanga also made a point of survival rate, but again nickels were the work horse of commerce so mintages were high to meet demands of the retail change needs. But to the op's orginial question can best be answered by supply and demand. To the new collector who wants to have the pleasure of building a doable set why not Jeffersons or Franklins halves? Both series can be completed and give the collector a goal that is relatively inexpensive to obtain. It can also teach the YN about varieties , and other anomalies found on coins. It will allow the collector to possible upgrade later should they deciede to pursue the series futher. Jefferson's have a lot to offer....the collector....so many choices to go with you collection.....and then the pride of building your collection to share with your collecting colleagues.
When I went through my 5gal bucket of war nickels (where I had tons of silver nickels) and which did have 100's of other nickels after the war days up to the mid 1950's I did not find any 1950-D's or any nickels between 1949-1954, but I did have many between 1955-1958.
What most don't realize unless you're in the 55/65 age range....this time peroid if one served news papers and collected for them...one's bag was full of both silver coins and notes that were silver cert, US. Notes, and older 5's and 10's. If you went to the store....you were handed the same from a purchase. Yes there was a possibility of recieving an 1914 D dime and a 1937 D 3 legger from a purchase. Andi do believe the chances of finding a 37 D 3 leg buffalo was better than finding a 1950 D Jefferson.
Had we only had the knowlege then what we know now! Any idea how many war nickels got me an ice cream cone....how many buffalos equaled an Hershey bar....shoot paid my boy scout troop dues in mercury dimes.
I had a good job when I was growing up and always seemed to have extra cash, so I always threw my change in a bucket. Then as I was growing up, living here in the islands, I was always diving & surfing and always left the bucket in a closet so I didn't see it. Eventually, it just grew & grew until I started sorting things out into what we now call a coin collection. I never felt that I was a coin collector, nor did I save coins because they were silver. Things just worked out that way.
If you wanted to find 1950-Ds in circulation, you had to be in the right place. In the summer of 1960, I found enough circulated 1950-Ds and '39-Ds to sell them through a classified ad in Coin World. I was looking through a large number of rolls each day.