In most of the coin books I have looked at they talk about the 1939 Jefferson with either the 1938 or 1940 reverse. What are the markers one should look for to determine which reverse you have? Thanks Dave
I should be getting some photos that show these differenets here shortly....but for the time being.. The steps. In 1938 the design that they picked had weak, wavy steps. The mint decided to redo it and make the porch thicker, and the steps sharply defined. Once you look at a few, you should be able to pick out what ones have the sharper steps...those would be the 40. The weaker 38 steps sometimes don't go all the way over, and some go farther than others....like I said...just check out a few and I'm sure you will note the differents. Speedy
Speedy So if the steps are worn because of circulation then there is no longer any way to tell if it is the 38 or 40 reverse? Most of the 39's I have found in rolls and bags the steps just look like one big blob. Thanks Dave
Let me check--I believe that there is a way, but I'm not 100% sure. Of course, at that low of grade either variety would add no extra value. Speedy
I've checked all of my files and books on Jefferson nickels and can't find any other type of way to tell the 38-40 apart. Speedy
Hi, Dave. This is the step detail on a "Reverse of '39" nickel.... This is the step detail on a "Reverse of '40" nickel... As you can see, the latter has more defined detail, and the steps appear to be in a "box".
Even on worn coins, you can usually see the top step, which as previously pointed out, is much thicker on the Reverse of 1940. Here is a good example: http://www.carlwohlforth.com/Jeffs.htm -- if you look here, on the right-hand side of the page are some photos. Look at the 3rd and 4th photos -- these are close-up shots of steps. The 3rd one is Reverse of 1938. The 4th one is reverse of 1940.
But if as the OP said...the steps only look like a block with no detail, is there any other way? Speedy
If you look at the edges of the steps on each side,the rev of 40 has a vertical line incuse or cut that breaks the steps from the base. On the rev of 38 the steps just blend into the base. This can usually be seen on even very worn coins.
