Old Nickles

I found some old nickles, some in great condition! Not the most valuable coins out there, but I wanted to see what you guys/girls think. I dont see any errors after quick inspection, but they seem like a good finds. Let this be motivation to keep searching for all you newbies!

 

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If you run across more 1939's, keep an eye out for a doubled die reverse. It will show somewhat plainly on "MONTICELLO" and "FIVE CENTS", but oddly not anywhere else on the reverse.

 

Those look like they were found when metal detecting... is that correct? If so, amazing find!!

 

nah, too nice for MD'ing coins

 

Thanks for the tip!

No, my girlfriend runs a retail store, Im teaching her to hunting for coins and she brings them home lol.

 

So, is there doubling on the reverse of the ‘39 posted?

 

I dont see it. Maybe a little DDD in Monticello.

 

The 39 is a reverse of 40.

 

By the way, it's NICKEL.

 

Good observation, I noticed that but haven't confirmed. I'm going to go get new batteries for my loupe.

You're right wheatmaster, I did misspell it! Good catch. Ya'll are good with details, just one of the many reasons I like this site.

 

Nope, it’s an obvious one; one I don’t pretend to know how it came about, despite studying it for years.

 

I can't tell from the photo which reverse it is.

In 1939, the Mint struck 1939 Jefferson nickels with two different reverse designs. The first design is referred to as a "Reverse of 1938." The second design is referred to as, a "Reverse of 1940."

The transition took place due to minor flaws on the reverse design. The original design had weak and curved step details on the Monticello building located on the reverse design of the coin. The easiest place to notice the curving on the steps is on the center below the last step on the Monticello building, where it curves significantly once compared to the new design.

Therefore, on the new design or the "1939 Reverse of 1940" the design displays sharper details and a straighter set of steps on the Monticello building on the reverse of the coin.

The 1939 Jefferson nickel with a Reverse of 1938 must have been produced for a very short period of time, since it is the scarcer of the two different reverse varieties.

 

For Philly 1939 nickels, the transition was early in the year, about mid to late February. For Denver, it was about April to May, and at San Francisco, it was summer.

I have an hour long talk on 1939 nickels.

 

Ok, great info! This is turning into a hotter topic than I was expecting.

I'm not expert, but I'm going to guess it's a 1939/1940 reverse minted in Philadelphia. I have no experience with grading, so I wont even try.

Here are some closeups of the steps.

 

The 1940 is the more common one. I went through all my 1939's (30+) and I found 2 that were the rarer 1938 reverse, so that was cool.

 

There’s a bit too much wear to be as certain as I’d like, but if forced to guess, I’d say it’s a Reverse of ‘38. Most (not all) Reverse of ‘40 examples have a clear short vertical line establishing the ends of the steps. This is not a 100% diagnostic, but let’s say 80-90. Die wear can knock it down.

My Apple Keynote presentation on 1939 nickels had a superimposition if both reverses done in Photoshop, and it just happened that the two coins had different color, so the features of each showed freakily. Both were very high grade.

 

This was a tough shot to get because of the wear, but is this what you're looking for?

 

Other side of that same column. Just above the right vertical stroke of the N.

 

I’m sorry, I was wrong. You had the correct spot. I dug out my coins and loupe. That line is way stronger on most 40’s compared to 38’s.

 

I'm on the fence again. I wish I could get better shots.