I bought this roll of uncirculated 1940 S nickels a while ago at an auction. I got them out and was looking at them, and noticed how poorly they were stamped. It looks like extremely wore out dies were used. Notice how they look across Jefferson's head, and how poorly the reverse is stamped. Several also have the 4 partially filled, and a cud on the second T on Trust. I also got 2 rolls of uncirculated 1945 S wartime nickels, that aren't alot better. Was it common to use such poor dies back then?
Those Jeffersons are poster children for poorly stuck coins. Along with what looks like worn dies it appears that the Die spacing was excessive as well causing a weak striking. You pretty much have all the answers to your own questions, I agree with you.
Thank you. I assumed they were worn dies, but I'm no expert, and someone elses opinion is always apreciated.
Regardless of mint, the 1940 Jefferson Nickels were some of the best struck of the entire series, though the S mint coins are the worst of the group. The quality of the 40-S ranged from poor to excellent as evidenced by my registry coin shown below. The coin is extremely well struck despite the fact that it is probably a LDS coin based on the die crack on Jeff's shoulder and significant die wear on the reverse, especially above the dome of Monticello. Your coins all suffer from extreme die wear which accounts for their luster and in part contributes to the poor strike, but we have to consider something else going on here. As stated, the 1940-S is not known for poor strikes per se, and I am leaning towards incorrect die spacing as the cause for the strikes on these coins as the strike is worse than what you typically encounter.
This is why I asked on this site. I know that there are many very knowledgeable people here who could answer my question. Thank you again for the information.
Nickel is a very hard metal. Even though a nickel is 25% nickel and 75% copper. So it is more difficult to get good strikes on nickels as opposed to softer metals. (Silver or copper.)
In those days the mint tried to make do as best they could and save money for the taxpayers. That is why unused dies from previous years were reworked. Congress insisted that coins made in any year be dated that year. Older dies would be reworked so that you get those great over dates and over mint mark varieties. They would also use dies until they fell apart which is why we find so many die cracks, cuds and the ever popular shattered dies which appeared just before the die was taken out of service. Nowadays dies are removed as soon as any problem appears on the finished coins during the quality tests. If the problems are deemed minor they are allowed into circulation. If they are rated major the entire tub is destroyed.
Yes. "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!" Some dates and mints have large premiums for well struck coins.
Well, even though these are uncirculated, they are obviously not well struck. Especially the reverse side. But hey, they are worth at least 5 cents each.
Must think about WWII just started and metal would become in short supply for domestic uses. Dies were used until they were worn out. Tanks, guns, ships, and planes took precedent over sharply struck nickels and other coins. Kids were giving up their non-broken toys to help in the war effort.
I have 22 full step coins which is about 40% from 1938-1964. I like full step coins but I have not made it a requirement for my registry set. Eye appeal is my focus and I will take a nicely toned coin over an untoned full step coin almost all the time. I also have 14 NGC star coins and another dozen that were either stubbed for the star or reside in PCGS plastic and would most likely star if crossed.
I just figured that since a complete set had never been assembled, that you would be the most likely candidate on CT to attempt it
We were gearing up for WWII in 1940 though. Germany was rolling through Europe and Franklin knew it was just a matter of time......