Which one of these two 1942 Jefferson Type II Proof nickels would you say is the better grade? And, the first one below looks business strike-ish, though it's supposedly a proof... at least it's being sold that way. I don't think it is a proof, unless you all confirm otherwise... Perhaps that's simply toning, but it looks strikingly different from the second one. Thanks in advance!
The major difference in imaging technique - I actually think the second one is a scan - makes comparative evaluation all but impossible. Based on this, the "scan" is clearly the superior coin. I won't hazard a grade opinion on images of this size/quality, especially Proofs.
Yeah it's probably a scan. Here's a better pic of the second one. The glare under "LIBERTY" with a camera was probably what the scan was for. Not sure what the streaks are at the bottom of the obverse, maybe haze as that's also seen on the scanned image.
Yeah it may not be FS. The entire Monticello building looks like a much weaker strike than the first one... at least from those pics.
The first one looks like FS but there is a minor rim ding at 9:00. It looks like a stronger strike than the second but it also looks like a business strike. The 2nd one looks like it has toning with makes it attractive. Hard choice so I'd buy both if the price is right.
Is the second one cameo or just light / semi-cameo? Obverse side only it appears. And, I'd need the second one to be FS to accept it, or I will regret it later, especially since it's proof. So, I asked the seller and I'm waiting to hear back.
Full steps refers to MS nickels not Proof nickels. I be more concerned about strike and color then the steps. As if you were to send it in to a TPG they are not going to put FS on a proof nickel. There are plenty of 1942 type two proof nickels to pick from if you search them out. I personally would pass on each of these as the first has a carbon spot on the steps.The second I'm not sure what way the toning is going. Meaning it could end up looking good and it could turn out looking like ...... ?????
The seller got back to me and confirmed that it's full steps. It must simply be a lighting issue and not wear / dent on those steps.
There's no such thing as a proof BEING GRADED a full step nickels! Only MINT STATE NICKELS ARE OR ARE NOT GRADED AS FULL STEP!!!! All proof should be full step as they are PROOF COINS! This is why you buy the book and read it before you buy the coin.
Paddy is an expert on Jefferson nickels. And he's right. 1942 Type 2 proofs are here, there and everywhere. No point in buying a problem coin.
Yes, I understand that there's no FS criteria for proofs. There was an issue with the steps not appearing clearly in the photos. So, I asked the seller if the steps were full or if there was wear there (e.g. PMD).
I don't know about expert but I do know when to walk and when to run.......wouldn't buy either of the two that the op has posted . Full Steps or not.....
Why would there be wear on a proof nickel? Because it circulated ? If so then why would you want to buy a nickel that has issues in the first place?
The image made the steps area difficult to see, perhaps due to glare / shadows. The seller clarified and said it wasn't glare and that the steps are full. The price seems fair / good to inquire on.
Assuming that the coin below checks out condition-wise, minus any problems, what would you grade it (two images below of same coin)? Thanks in advance!
Well, I ended up getting the one from the post above. In person and from at least a few feet away or further, it looks like an untoned proof coin. As I get closer, however, I can see more toning. If I look even closer under a loupe, it stands out more. I do see some more marks though, namely on Jefferson's cheeks and a larger dent on the collar. The fields look to have very, very fine hairlines. The obverse rim at around 10 o'clock is not a rim nick but simply toning, so that's good. At the very bottom of the Monticello's steps, there's a slight nick. I'm not sure that the photos really show it, but I see it maybe 3/4 of the way from the left. Any thoughts on a grade?
