While looking for a 1954-S over D I spotted this. I don't think it is anything much but thought you guys might see something I don't. What do you say? What I'm talking about is what looks like an 'A' or something under the 'S' mint mark. Does anyone see any doubling of the 'S'?
The dirt leaves the false impression that it could be an "over" punched mintmark. Those are some good close ups though. Boy, it's tough to call...
I have no idea but must say that those are some great pics. Especially with the way you laid them out, as I was scrolling down I was thinking "it would be nice if it was slightly bigger... oh hey neat, a closer pic... keep scrolling... oh sweet an even closer pic!"
Can I see a pic of the whole coin, both sides. I'm asking because I'm thinking of a slim possibility, that perhaps something got stuck in a bin that was later used for planchets and then that something got over-struck as a nickel. What that "something" was I have no idea just yet. In the first pic, look just to the left of the 1st L. It might be the same thing that's making us see that A, or it might be a larger L, which is sure what it looks like to me. And if it is, then that slim possibility just a little bigger.
Here is what you requested. I do not see anything to the left of the 1st 'L' like you described. There sure is a lot of wear, scratches, and dings on this nickle when looking at it close up. But I'm older than it and there's plenty of the same things on me-LOL. zeke
The L I am seeing is a larger letter, comparable in size to the A, and it has distinctive serifs. I believe I can also see what might be an N or M behind the M in UNUM, and something behind the N as well, can't make out what though. And it appears there might be traces of letters behind AMERICA, again can't make them out. I'd have to do some more looking but it might be possible that this nickel was struck over a foreign coin minted by the US. In that time period they made coins for Costa Rica, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Honduras.
Doug, thanks for for efforts and opinions on this 1954-s Jefferson nickle. I agree you that what ever happened to this coin is so indistinct and indefinite now that it would take real investigative equipment and probably many, many hours in order to come up with a more definite solution. I do not believe what ever results were found could justify all that work. I scanned this nickle using my camera in macro mode and took some photos of the areas you cited. It'll take two replies to fit them all. There sure is nothing wrong with your eyes. Your expertise and experience shows me again and again how much you help me and other members about coins. Thanks. zeke
On the contrary Zeke, my eyes are the pitts. They are only a fraction of what they used to be. I miss that, really miss it. But thanks for the kind words.
OOPS! I'm sorry for the delay on the last pictures. It was dinner time and the meatloaf I cooked was ready.; Then one thing ran into another so here it is the next day. The 1954-S weighs 5.0 grams just in case anyone was wondering. Tyler G., You could most definitely take better pictures than me. My equipment consists of sort of a 'jury rig'. I use a Nikon L120 Cool Pix digital camera mainly because it has great zoom features. Even though the camera has 'macro mode' it is not enough to take close ups of coins without being on top of them(1 or 2 cm). This presents major problems with lighting. Well this camera has no options for any further lenses to be attached but I mounted on a Canon 58mm adapter using blue painters tape. Onto the adapter I attached a Ranox M-250 Macro lens. I mounted this rig on a variable height(12"- 18") copy stand. I also use a Nikon EH-67 ac adapter which really saves money on batteries. This was also one feature I demanded of a camera. Then practice, practice, practice.
I saw the picture and became intrigued. I dug out my Jefferson circulated folder and found a 1954S. It does have another "letter" or so it looks inside the M of UNUM.It almost looks like it starts right after the U in UNUM and runs through the M. There is also a letter after the M, to the right of the M in UNUM. Maybe a U? Been staring at this and the OPs one for an hour now, hopefully by the end of the night my eyes will uncross.---John
John, I've just about given up on finding out what these ghostlike, mystrious letters. And now you find them on your '54-S'. Perhaps it is like GDJMSP said IN POST #6. Maybe your post will inspire more CT'rers will look at their 1954-S Jefferson nickles. Someone may have one with more definite standout letters. That would be fantastic. zeke
Zeke---there are other letters in there as well. It's almost as if it is an old coin restruck. My eyes were really blurring up from looking through my 10X, 15X , then 16X loupe. But you are right there are "ghost" letters there.---John
