1938 Nickel...question

Hello all,

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted. I had to put collecting aside for awhile , but am back at it now!
Anyway, wondering if I could get some opinions on this 1938 Jefferson.
Mostly wondering if it is a proof.

Thank you!

 

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I don't think so, but a nice looking coin just the same. Front kind of has the squared rim, but the reverse looks business strike. Perhaps just a nice rim on the obverse. Wait for others.

 

https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1938-5c/4175

Note the reverse on this doesn't have the squared rim...there's hope!!

 

Most 1938 proofs have a hand cut serif in the S of TRUST. It is at the bottom of the S. You can see it in the plate coin for PCGS that @Kevin Mader posted. But, one of the other plate coins has a normal S. I think your coin is a proof with a normal S. Which is rarer than the hand cut serif S.

 

I remembered a thread from a while back where @Paddy54 explains the serifs on a '38 Jefferson Proof. It took me a little bit to find it.
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/what-would-you-call-this.273376/#post-2322513

 

Nice coin but a shame about the fingerprint. Beautifully toned. Welcome back to coins and CT.

 

That's an awfully sharp looking 38. I would say that it is a proof. But even in the Whitman guide it specifically states that it is unknown IF ANY proof die were used that didn't have the touched up serif on the S.

How many uninterrupted steps can you make out?

 

Thank you everyone for your help .
The steps are what threw me off, there doesn’t appear to be any uninterrupted steps. Wasn’t sure if that is a common trait of a 38 proof, or maybe it’s circulated .

 

This was a new design. And 6 full steps even on a proof were rare. can you get a clear photo of them close up?
What I am saying is that the steps are not a defining feature to these nickels.
Let me try this
@Paddy54
@Lehigh96

 

Looks proof to me as well. Pretty coin.

 

That is a nice proof coin without the serif. Even your obverse edge matches the slight wire edge of the proof example. Congratulations. I wonder how many are known and how many were minted?

 

This is about the best photo I can get with my iPhone and loupe

 

Looks like a Proof to me.

 

Doesn't look like "full-steps" to me.

 

Your photo's are great. They look like they were taken from a dino-scope. Thumbs up to you for great photos

 

Agreed there sure seems to be a break in the fifth step, under the third pillar.

Looking at some graded examples the S doesn't have to be serifed to qualify.
even without full steps I would call it a proof.

 

I'm guessing yes. Nice 38. I want one

 

I'm guessing yes. Nice 38. I want one

 

You the man

 

Looking at a lot of pics of slabbed examples , it’s hard to find one with what I would consider full steps.
Is the variety with no serif considered fs-402 ?