Does anyone know why the values suddenly are 2-3 times higher in Redbook and Coin Values when you hit 1964 and older?
1. Mintages start dropping a bit 2. Mint set values rise starting that year more because of silver content but they still do 3. Lots more demand for pre 1965 coins 4. Red Book is messed up All possibles I guess
A lot of collectors don't realize the true cost of collecting Jefferson nickels. This series has so many varieties as well as key low mintage coins....and I'm not talking the 50-D ! 3 nickels way passed 1964 the 1971-S no S proof estimated 1,655 minted in a 67 grade $1600.00 + easy 1994 -P Matte -Finish mintage 167,703 price $125.00 + in SP-66 The 1997 Matte-Finish very low mintage 25,000 value in SP 69 $350.00+ now older dates 1939 Double Monticello in MS- 65 $1300.00 + Same year 39 proof with a mintage of 12,535 in PR-65 $250.00. Prices also jump big time in FS nickels! another is the 1943/2 Silver war nickel estimated 200,000 mintage great coin priced at $1200.00 + in MS-65 A 1942 D over Horizontal D in MS-65 $1200.00 + Just a few examples of the money in nickels. I tell everyone no matter what you collect you should have at least two Jeffersons and that is the 1994 & 97 Matte finish these are going to be the keys to the post 64 Jefferson nickel collection. IMHO
The Redbook has a ton of great information, and I would recommend anyone getting into collecting to buy one. I would also avoid bidding on ebay according to their listed values. That is usually where I get my information elsewhere.
I just looked at my redbook and the prices for Jefferson Nickels in MS65 don't change until you hit 1954. My redbook is 2009 edition. Of course I don't use the redbook to value my Jefferson Nickels. Welcome to the forum! Are you interested in collecting Jefferson Nickels?
Numbers struck. This is probably the only issue where the numbers struck actually reflect the numbers in existance. Who melts nickels (with the possible exception of the War nickels)? So most are still around. Pre-1964 nickels averaged in the 10's of millions struck per date/mm. Post-1964 nickels averaged in the 100's of millions struck per date/mm.
The Red Book should be used as a guide and not as a say all, do all, almighty last word. By the time the information is collected, published, and on the shelf, the pricing is already out of touch with reality. It is not Whitman's fault, they do the best they can but current fluctuations in the market are going to determine Fair Market Valuation along with specific knowledge of each of the specified series. The internet right now is a valuable tool in the hands of a dedicated collector, use it wisely.
This is like asking why is an 1804 silver $ more than a Morgan $.... Quantity, savings, mintages, and popularity, + Many other reasons.
There's really only a single reason; demand. Most collectors simply have no use for the junk made after 1964 so even though most of the later coins are scarcer in unc than the '50-D they sell for a small fraction of the price. The '65 to 'mid-'70's coins are also made in far poorer quality than the older ones and despite being far scarcer bring less than the older coins.
The Red Book is not now, nor has it ever been a price guide. The prices that they list are relative and relatively inaccurate. IIRC the publishers have said that they do not advocate anyone using this book as a price guide but rather as an informational warehouse about United States coins. The warehouse term was mine not theirs. I guess you can take the boy out of the country... LOL
