Mint Mark's , Styles &, Varieties of the Jefferson Nickel Part 1 1938-49

Going through some of my Jefferson collection lately I decided to post this thread. The purpose is to make collectors aware that they may be holding within their collections some important mint mark styles or varieties. I highly recommend that if this thread is of use or interest to you ,that you should go to varietyvista.com and down load the complete list that is offered there free of charge.
This down load is a very important tool to use,especially on the war year nickels. Just an FYI in case you are not aware just about every war year issue has some sort of variety.
Over looking these varieties can be a costly mistake.
However it can also be very frustrating as some of the varieties as very close as from one to another.
I will list images of all the mint marks by date and mint using my collection images. These images are mostly uncirculated MS coins with a few varieties in the AU range.
I hope these images will give you the image you'll need to Id the coin or coins you hold in hand. I also hold that the images will be a tool so you can determine if those coins are truly a variety or PMD.

The first two mint marks will be the 1938 D & S
The next two are of the 1939 D & S
The next two the 1940 D & S

 

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Now that brings us to the year 1941. In 1941 there are several varieties listed in the Cherry Pickers guide. An repunched MM on the Denver coin, a Large S & Small S on the San Francisco minted coin,and a inverted mint mark S. I have used some references to both the small and Large S MM as I have misplace my unc. coins that bear the two differences. I also used references to the images of the 41 inverted S for the same reason stated above. If you study the serifs on the S coins you'll be able to tell the differences in the mint marks. All will be marked as to what variety is which.
The first coin is the 41 D
The next a 41 S this item is the small S variety
Next the 41 Large S Variety notice the differences in the shape style as well the mm serifs.
and lastly for the 41 is the inverted S

 

In 1942 we have two types of Jefferson nickels being coined. The .750 copper .250 nickel, as well as the War time silver alloy nickel .560 copper,&.350 silver nickel. We also have a nickel with a mint mark change from it's location on the right side of the Monticello to the top of the dome. We have an 1942 no mm nickel an 42 D in copper nickel then ,a 42 P, and S. in the silver alloy. Plus we have a variety MM an D over an horizontal D coin variety.
The first example is that of type 1 D
next the 1942 D/D Horiz variety
Next is the Wartime silver P
an 1942 P/P Variety
and lastly the S

Again pay close attention to the Mint marks as you may see some slight repunches or style changes within the war years coinage.

 

The year 1943 gave way to war time and many varieties on the Jefferson Nickel. That said now is the time to down load that free list from Variety vista. I will post a few 43 P varieties. but be assured that there are lots to cherry pick out of this year.
the 43/2 date variety
the 43 P double eye
The 43 P Mint mark
The 43 D
and the 43 S
You'll notice how the placement of the war year coins Mint marks differ from mint to mint. some being centered to the top of the dome other off set to the right or left.

 

Next the 1944 P
the 44 D
the 44
notice this S is also a repunched MM

 

The 1945 P
the 45 D
the 45 S

 

The war over the coinage returned to a copper nickel alloy the 46 P no longer carried a Mint mark just the D & S coins.
the 46 D
the 46 S
you may notice changes occurring on some of the MM styles , different shapes and sizes as well as the serifs.

 

The 1947 D & S mint marks.

 

Wow that's all pretty good stuff. I'm going to have to download it and keep a copy close at hand.

 

the 1948 D & S mint marks. Notice how some of the D's and S mint marks are changing styles.

 

This brings us to 1949 coins. there's an D and S plus a variety of an Dover S for this year. in order the D,S and D/S mint marks.
Notice the 49 D/S is quite tricky to see the S serif under the top of the D.

 

Wow Paddy, I never knew what to do with all my old nickels. Such great insight you have posted. The best of Ct is having knowledgeable people like you. Thanks for the post.

 

This is the end of part 1 of Mint marks and varieties. As soon as time allows I will post the next set of MM and varieties to use in cherry picking your Jeffs.

 

Now for a mea culpa I made a big mistake a few months back by selling off two slabed Jefferson's 1941- S nickels both nice full steps MS 66 both the small and large S coins. I did not have the slabs marked as to their varieties....... so make a note to self...always check the coin before you let her go..... I may never be able to replace the Large S in full steps in a 66 again.

 

Great post, Paddy, and some worthwhile advice.

 

Great write up thanks for the info and the book listing!!

 

Next write up will start with the 1950 Jefferson varieties and mint marks. But will admit the down load is great to carry on your smart phone while at a coin show. You can snag a lot of varieties with it in hand.

 

Yeah I'm bringing this back, not the best pics in the world but is this 1945-P a P/P mint mark?