1938 Jefferson DDO FS-101

Can you guys help me identify this? I think it’s DDO FS-101, but want to confirm with a few of the experts here. @Lehigh96 @paddyman98 Also, what grade would you give this coin?

 

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No one has an opinion?

 

Variety Vista Has an opinion. Your first two pictures are too far out so you can't see the specific areas that need to be compared, and your 3rd picture is too close and blurred.
As I understand it FS-101 is DDO-002.

My opinion, the die gouge in the top of RT in Liberty is there, and the IN in IGWT looks like it connects from this distance which would be the doubling on a zoomed in shot.
So, without a close up comparison, I think you have the right call though from here on it being FS-101.


http://www.varietyvista.com/04a JN DD Vol 1/DDO Detail Pages/1938PDDO002.htm

 

Thanks, John. Really appreciate it.

 

In any event it is a very nice looking coin. Good luck on your analyses.

 

I can't see the doubling in your photos, but the die gouge from the R to T i LIBERTY seems to be a pretty good diagnostic. I don't know much about this variety and have never owned one. As for the grade, both grading companies are very tough on the 1st year of issue and this coin has just too many marks for a gem grade. Luster and strike are good, I give it a solid MS64.

 

I think verifying the diagnostics yourself and confirming things match up as FS-101, it's along the lines of the examples PCGS has on the site to look at. MS66, maybe not, but could get MS65 possibly.

https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1938-5c-ddo-fs-101-021/38477

not many graded with either NGC or PCGS, a couple dozen tops.
probably worth $200 if graded and hits MS64, or more if it grades out higher.
Been a while since they have come up in any grade, a MS66 sold for like $570 about a month ago on heritage if that info helps.

I'd say it's a 64 for sure, but the luster looks good, above average, and it's not any worse for the wear than the MS66 example which is top pop. Might be worth the gamble the two main concerns is the ding on the chin on the obverse and the ding on the stairs reverse, everything else is pretty minor. I feel good about it as a MS65 against the comparables I can see, but might not make it.

got to check it for wear and be certain it's uncirculated, I would not bother with grading if it has wear/luster interruptions and will only make AU58, the rim doesn't scream at me as circulated though, neither does the coin.

 

I think there is virtually no chance that coin is AU. This is the reason I'm worried that it won't grade gem.




They graded the coin shown above an MS64. I had it at MS66 and I never miss a Jefferson grade by more than 1 grade. Both NGC and PCGS are notoriously tough on pre-war Jefferson Nickels. I'm not saying the OP's coin doesn't have a shot at MS65, it certainly does, buy my anecdotal experience with 1938s says it will get MS64.

 

So, this coin is not in hand, but I have the opportunity to buy it for $80. I am working with the same pictures that you guys see (which are the best I could get), so I'm struggling to attribute it, as well. Would you take the chance?

 

If it was my money, I'd ask the seller for photos that show the doubling more clearly.

 

Got some better pictures. I see the doubling but would love for you guys’ opinions. I have other pics from other angles as well if anyone thinks it’ll help

 

@John Burgess @Lehigh96 @thomas mozzillo Do these pictures help?

 

It looks doubled to me. Which grading company recognizes this DDO?

 

PCGS does and in MS 64 is shows a value of $200. I can get it for $75. Just trying to really make sure it is what I think it is. If it's not, it's a $10-$15 coin

 

Well, I can’t say for sure but it looks good. I have trouble attributing minor varieties, especially ones I have no personal experience with like this one.

Seems like pretty decent upside if it is but getting it graded is gonna cost $22 (economy tier), $18 (variety attribution), and S&H costs, so your total costs are gonna be closer to $125. I would pull the trigger because I like to gamble on things like this.

 

My opinion based of what's available of the new pictures, I still can't confirm it's DDO-001. On DDO-001, the doubling is the most identifiable on the "LIB" of liberty, everywhere else it's kind of slight, and overall it's slight even on LIB. even the star isn't a "sure thing". I will say, if the sellers not showing you the "LIBERTY" up close and personal, it's very likely it's done on purpose or they don't really know how to attribute it and guessing.
Just a personal opinion on that.


Also found this info on Brian's Variety Coins (I don't vouch it's accurate just annother source for info) and something to look into. Link is here:
https://www2.briansvarietycoins.com/listings/cat/11#:~:text=1938-D WDDO-001&text=Very close Class II doubling,GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY

Markers:
"Obv: Strong horizontal die gouge through upper RT of LIBERTY; light die cracks west from upper left and lower left of L of LIBERTY.

I also noticed this on Wexlers,and Variety Vista, but they don't identify it as a marker. This die gouge would likely make it a "sure thing" and take the guessing out of it if it's present.
Nothing worse than buying these "close" doubled dies, that could be DDD.

 

@John Burgess Thanks for your opinion. Much appreciated. I can clearly see the RT die gouge, which is part of what makes me think this is the real deal

 

yes, Now that I'm going over the pictures again, I think it's pretty safe to pull the trigger, I'm 99% it is at this point, barring finding the coin manipulated when you inspect it in hand.

As far as the cost at $80 I dunno. reasonable I suppose. No idea what they are selling for currently really. it's a pretty nice example I think. likely worth the cost I suppose. LOL.

And thanks for sharing with us also!

 

Thanks, @John Burgess For the sake of completeness here are a couple pictures of Liberty

 

In these pics you can also clearly see the light die cracks west from upper left and lower left of L of LIBERTY. I'm convinced