1939 has treated me well: Rolls of 1939P, almost a roll of 1939 with 38 Reverse, 2 or 3 1939D, 4 or so 1939S, a 1939 DDR, and a 1939 Henning Nickel (my favorite of the mix).
Okay, I didn't know what a Henning Nickel was so I provide this link for anyone who cares . Henning Nickel (error-ref.com)
i have a few of these I've found hunting over the decades. It always stops me in my tracks and my heart skips a beat when I find one! Love this DDR.
I looked through all the known dates from most recent back to 1939. I had hundreds of 1939Ps to look at. Weighed them first and all were good. Looked for the loop. All were good. But one looked crappy. I recall when I found it that I almost tossed it back because of that. But I was hoarding and lucky for me. I learned about the other diagnostics for the known reverse dies. I had one. Amazing! A bit damaged on the rim as it is slightly thicker in areas, but one from the wild! It could be my most valuable find. I don’t know what it’s worth but I haven’t seen another like mine.
For not actively hunting...don't check all my change all the time...I seem to find more old(er) Jeffersons (64 and prior, almost like silver) than any other denom., incl. wheat Lincolns...and yes, several 39s. A close second is FDRs...and no.1 for silver coins...again for me, more than wheaties.
Jefferson Nickels are amongst the easiest of the different series to complete from the wild. I did an experiment once and figured that you could get a good part of the way there with a single box from the bank (provided you aren't picky about condition/grade). I did a year long challenge, kind of like what @DatDareNickelGuy has going now and I think I got within 7 coins (mostly the lower mintage Jeffersons) by the end of the year averaging a box every two weeks (so around 26 boxes). I have those Whitman folders lying around somewhere. Folks would be surprised at what they can accomplish picking their change or hunting the occasional box. I think Roosevelt Dimes are a possible series to build from change/CRH...but a lot harder now that silver hunters are out there pulling dimes for melt. Kind of a shame.
Did a little research: 90% complete after 9 boxes 93% complete after 14 boxes 95% complete after 23 boxes (165/174) I think I recall being at 70% after a single box...but I don't remember what I wrote as it was over 6 years ago. That wasn't the year I found the any of the aforementioned coins.
Yeah its pretty disheartening. Thinking about all those silver coins getting melted. I saw a bag of "Junk Silver Dollars" up for melt years ago. I bought the bag from a silver dealer and found two 1921 Peace dollars. And a bunch of BU common date 1922 and 23s. Couldn't believe this was about to be sent off to be melted. If I hadn't showed up that day they would of been melted.
