I have two 1942-D nickels from a roll of 40, circulated, and the D looks exactly like the one pictured for a double D. One is easier to see in the pic than the other one but under a loop they both have the same shape as the picture on the Jefferson Nickel Guide. So opinions? I wish they were in better condition but they were part of a bunch of nickel rolls I picked up at an auction.
I have owned two of them. This looks like it might be, but I need a little better lighting on the left side of the D to be able to tell. Maybe a soak in acetone to try to get some crud off also? Can you show a pic of the whole coin?
Sure looks like it, I agree with Treashunt, a good view of the inside of the D and to the left, more light, I'll have to double check my nickels now
Ok. Here's full shots of both sides of each coin and extreme closeups of the D for both coins using my DinoLite as far down as I can get it with the light on and and Ott-Lite also. Hope this is good enough. First is coin #1 and then coin #2 I don't have any acetone laying around but I do have some MS70, but I hesitate to clean the areas because if the consensus is that these are double D's, then even though they are circulated, I would be tempted to send them to NCS to have them conserved first and then slabbed. #1 seems to be a stronger strike than #2 but they both have the same shape that is consistent with the picture in the Jefferson Nickel Guide.
The condition of your specimen is not worth the cost of conservation and having it slabed . I don't say this to be mean but as a nickel collector who know's this variety. Looking at you images I will agree I'm about 90% sure it's the 1942 D over Horizontal D variety . As it is a rare variety they can be cherry picked but values only hold for mint state coins. The condition of yours if confirmed to be the variety would be in the $35-45 range. As a nickel collector I myself would enjoy the find and not worry about investing more than the coins worth. Dip it confirm it and enjoy it! You will never regain any money spent sending to a TPG. IMHO
Here is mine in Au. value I say in the 200/225 range.and again this is the rarest in the 10 major Jefferson varieties but in mint state, not circulated.
I disagree with Paddy some. It would be worth getting them slabbed but not conserved, as long as it comes back as VF or higher, which it looks like the first one would, but maybe not the second. I sold a PCGS VF20 earlier this year for about $75 on ebay and a VF25 for about the same price. I would soak the one with grime on it in acetone to see if it helps any. But, if you don't plan to resell, don't spend the money on slabbing. It's a fairly hard to find variety and nickel collectors like them.
$25 to slab and get the variety on a $35 value you'll never even come close to break even. I cherry pick nickels more than any other coin. The values are not there on these two coins. Yes there are collectors but condition is everything And since there's no value in the medal as in silver. The nickel Collectors want Au. or better coins. The second coin has damage it would come back as details . As a collector for over 53 years I never would or advise to buy a coin that has issues!
I just picked up a 1936 D Three-1/2 legged buffalo that is PCGS VG-DETAILS scratch for a decent price. When it comes to ultra rare coins like this, details don't bother me, its the enjoyment of the coin...just MHO!
The reason you got the 1936 D at a decent price is only because of the issues . If one is able to live with the issues on a coin be it rare , or not that's the collectors call. Rest assured you're going to enjoy the coin for quite sometime as it may take some time to sell it for the amount paid. I have seen this first hand with colleagues whom for example purchased an 1877 IHC with xf details and the coin suffered from pitting or environmental damage. Whom never recouped their initial investment when they tired of seeing a lower grade" no issue coin " command a higher premium over theirs. If you are truly satisfied with a coin with issues whom am I to judge...however after 50 plus years collecting hind sight is always 20/20.
