1938 Nickel...question

The 38' had what is called wavy steps, the steps look mushy unlike other issues 39' to today there are slight bridges between them causing them to look merged in spots.

Looks like it. I tried to look for examples of the FS503 but couldn't find any examples that have been auctioned.

 

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Here’s one;

 

It is hard to tell about the rims from a straight on photo, try to show it like this for a proof on a Lincoln cent. Jim

 

Don’t think it’s a proof but it has some nice toning in the hair!

 

Awesome example of a wire square rim Jim!

 

@Pickin and Grinin So the “ wire square rim” throws me off. Do you just mean the rim makes a 90 deg angle? Where does wire come into play( I’ve heard that reference before)? I have a few other questionable proof coins so I am just trying to figure this out. Thanks for everyone’s help though! Here is a side shot of the rim.

 

Look at your coin on the obverse. See the raised sharp line on the edge of the rim that starts around 7:30 to about 1 oclock on the obverse?

And if you ever need to understand our lingo.
Here is a good glossary and definitions for coin lingo.
https://www.pcgs.com/lingo?id=W

 

Got it! Makes perfect sense now. Thank you

 

What I find interesting is that the reverse intersection point on your coin (and at the link I provided) has a more rolled appearance typically seen on business strikes. But on the obverse it is sharp like a proof should be. You’ll note that this diagnostic is not foolproof. The edge shot helps clarify the situation. It is commonly asked if an early Lincoln is a proof because many of the business strikes have sharp, crisp looking rims. But they are business strikes in most instances. This is typically borne out by the edge picture especially when juxtaposed with other proof/business strike coins. Uniformity of appearance is key.

 

@Kevin Mader - Thank you. When it comes to uniformity, this coin doesn't have much. Toning always throws me off because it takes that uniformity away, and can hide what might be proof like attributes. I'm sure the more experienced eye can see through this. The video I posted shows the "mirror like" finish.

 

Do one for the reverse.

 

@Pickin and Grinin

 

Nice looking Proof. Put it in an airtite. Or an album, Until you are ready to either flip it or slab it. Just enjoy It!

 

The coin in question is in fact an proof 1938 Jefferson nickel! As a collector of Jefferson nickels for many years ,I can tell you that it is with out a shadow of a doubt one of the most under rated series.
Proof Jefersons should be highly sought after and for the most part not even considered .
First look at the mintages no brainer all are under >30k , varieties there are a treasure trove full to be discovered.....and for the most part affordable to collect!
The down side is that again the series doesnt have a huge following as others, thus making a very sweet coin sit in inventory for awhile or just not comand the value it should.
Felix Schlag the designer of the Jefferson nickel as well the redesigner of the nickel was promised 200 proof nickels . As part of the agreement with the mint ,as he had a plan to produce these....the image shown was part of my Jefferson Proof collection for 10 + years.
Notice the # on the hand signed certificate.
Back to the early proofs... 1938 [19,365] 1939 [ 12,535] 1940 [ 14,158] 1941 [ 18,720] 1942 [29,600] & 1942 P [ 27,600].

Then the war year the mint supended the proof strikes until 1950.
Given the mintages listed above factor in how many known varieties one would think......that early proof Jeff's would be flying off the shelf. After all a 1916 D dime mintage was 264,000.......1895 S Morgan 400,000.....
So now back to the op coin the 1938 extra serif. And a low mintage of 19,265 how many were hand ascribed with an extra serif of that total mintage? How many ddo's are there? How many ddr's are there?
Most of all history of this series esspecially in the beginning ...

 

@Paddy54 - Great post , and thanks !
Before I took my hiatus from collecting, Jefferson’s is what mostly collected, and for all of the reasons you mention.
Never knew much about proofs though. So thanks for everyone’s help on this . This one will have a home in my US type set I am working on.