I recently picked up two more toned Jefferson War Nickels for my NGC registry set. The first is a very impressive 1944-S NGC MS67* and the second is a 1943-S NGC MS67 that I have dubbed the ugly duckling of the set. I need only the 1942-P and the very elusive 1943/2-P overdate to complete the set. I am currently 9th in the registry and expect to be in the top 5 upon completion of the set. Here is a photo of my current set. The first new acquisition is this gorgeous 1944-S NGC MS67* which is a cousin to the 1945-P MS67* as they have consecutive serial numbers. The obverse peripheries show very pretty pink, yellow, green, and blue. The reverse shows the same rainbow pattern on the peripheries that yields to golden tan and finally a lavender gray center. A premium gem well deserved of the star designation. The second is my most recent pick up. It is an originally toned 1943-S MS67 old holder. I must admit that I have found this issue extremely difficult to find with any appreciable toning much less attractive rainbow toning. This new piece is the best example I can find to date. This coin is the ugly duckling of the collection. The entire coin is bathed in a thick tan skin with charcoal black peripheral highlights and touches of forest green, violet, and russet. While the coin technically merits inclusion in the set, it's place here is most certainly temporary until a more eye appealing example can be found. I also picked up a duplicate 1943-P NGC MS67 this week. Does anyone like this coin better than the coin already in the set? It is not as dramatically toned but has very pretty delicate iridescent rainbow toning. Your comments and opinions are welcome.
I've got a War Nickel set in the NGC Registry too. All I'm missing is the 1943/2-P. Obviously or collecting criteria are different. You like toned coins; I don't (but my 1944-S is lightly toned.) I like Full Steps coins; all of mine are. Your grades are higher than mine. Mine range from MS-64 to MS-66. Ignoring the overdate, the 1945-S is the key to the set. At least it was for me. BTW, it looks like you've got the '42-P. At least I see one in your first image. I'll look to get the '43/2-P but I don't see me upgrading any of the others. So I'll never go high on the Registry list.
Lehigh, I make sure I read all your threads now, you've come up with some of the most attractive coins I've seen! My personal favorite in this batch is the 42-S. Keep up the great threads!
Very nice set in impresive grades. I must say though that it still amazes me that Jeffersons can grade so high with such weak reverses. The 44 S and the 43 S have weak reverses and the 44 S seams to have a lot of marks on Montecello. I'm not meaning to criticize, I just don't understand Jefferson grading standards.
I totally agree. I've got one (somewhere) that is worse than the ones you've mentioned. Monticello looks like a total struck-through. I'm looking around to see if I can find it. Found it. Not quite as bad as I remembered, but still ...
