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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;tommypski, post: 321732, member: 9020&quot;]Here is what I thought was a good description of the difference between the 1938 and 1940 reverse , Jefferson nickel. I did not write this, A user named &quot;Hoot&quot; on the Collectors-Society web site wrote this. (&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/CoinDetail.aspx?PeopleCoinID=157435&amp;PeopleSetID=1393" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/CoinDetail.aspx?PeopleCoinID=157435&amp;PeopleSetID=1393" rel="nofollow">http://www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/CoinDetail.aspx?PeopleCoinID=157435&amp;PeopleSetID=1393</a>)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;The Jefferson nickels of 1939 come with a single obverse and two distinctly different reverses: the reverse of 1938 and 1940. The two distinct reverses herald the Type 1 and Type 2 Jefferson nickels. Dies for each were employed simultaneously during 1939 and at all three Mints. The reverse of 1938 has daintier lettering and weaker definition of Monticello, particularly the door and window details, as well as the steps. The steps of 1938 are wobbly, i.e., not straight and with uneven depths of the incuse lines that define the steps, thus many “bridge points” between the steps. The 1938 reverse in this issue is a challenge to find, especially with full steps. There were six steps in the design and imago, but it appears that all six were virtually never translated to a die in 1938 or 1939, reverse of ‘38. The straight, razor sharp, and deeply incuse steps of 1940 were initially employed in 1939, but by calling them steps of 1940, it makes a clear distinction. In 1939, Philadelphia coined most of the reverse of 1940 pieces, sending most of the reverse of 1938 dies to San Francisco and about equal numbers of ’38 and ‘40 reverses to Denver that year. Thus, the reverse of 1940 is most common on Philadelphia issues, the least common on San Francisco issues, and about equally common on Denver issues. Bern Nagengast, author of The Jefferson Nickel Analyst, estimates that Philadelphia coined about 10% rev. of ’38 pieces, while Denver coined about 50% and San Francisco coined about 75%. I believe that one’s perception of the relative distributions can be affected by geography. (I&#039;ve collected a lot of these coins from the intermountain west and western states.) My own collecting experience tells me that Nagengast’s distribution is about right, but I&#039;d say the Denver issues were about 60% rev of 38 and 40% rev of 1940, at least for surviving mint state coins. I&#039;ve not found any reference material that indicates the number of dies manufactured for each facility and a breakdown of their reverse types, and frankly, I doubt this is known. The coin that I have included in this set is the reverse of 1938, and simply breathtaking in-hand. Surfaces of this nickel are very lovely – satiny and beaming with Mint luster - and it can easily be regarded as PQ for the grade. Exquisitely struck and virtually mark-free, the coin glows with a transparent rose and blue patina. One of my most excellent and rare acquisitions for this set. (11/13/05)&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;Just wondering what you nickel experts thought about this description. Anything you would add? I always have trouble finding and info on the subject. Also, how hard is it in your opinion to decipher between the 2 reverses. Is there a certain method you use? Thanks![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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