Jefferson nickel steps Rev of 38 or 40. What do you see? 1 1

[Lem E]

I know what I see. How about you?

[Coinbuf]

38 rev is what I see.   But correct me if I'm wrong, shouldn't that only be on the 39-P?

Edited November 13, 2023 by Coinbuf

[Lem E]

On 11/13/2023 at 4:38 PM, Coinbuf said:

38 rev is what I see.   But correct me if I'm wrong, shouldn't that only be on the 39-P?

All 3 mints used both reverses on the 39 coins.

Edited November 13, 2023 by Lem E

[Greenstang]

Not much to go by but I would say that is a Variety 2.   
I remember reading on another site that there were 25% of Variety 1 and 75% of Variety 2 minted in 1939

[Lem E]

I apologize for the pic quality. I’ll give this a little time for the members to give their opinion.

Edited November 13, 2023 by Lem E

[Sandon]

   Although the strike makes this one a bit confusing, the steps appear to be lightly engraved and wavy, meaning that this is a Reverse of 1938 (Variety 1).  (According to the NGC Coin Explorer, nearly two-thirds of 1939-S nickels have the Reverse of '38, while most of the 1939 and 1939-D issues have the Reverse of '40.) 1939 S REV OF 38 5C MS | Coin Explorer | NGC (ngccoin.com).

   What does the NGC holder that contains the coin say its variety is?

[Lem E]

On 11/13/2023 at 6:15 PM, Sandon said:

   What does the NGC holder that contains the coin say its variety is?

I don’t want to sway anyones vote one way or another but I will post the label after a bit. 

[EagleRJO]

I assume thats an MS graded nickel, so to me the less well defined steps, except on the far right side which is a little more defined, would indicate a 1939-S 5C Rev 38.

[P.S.  I also see a slight curve in the steps drawing a box around that on LemE's nickel which is another indicator for a Rev 38, unless that is just an optical delusion.] 

Edited November 14, 2023 by EagleRJO

[J P M]

It is tough to say for sure where I need to look is banged up and worn but I can still see the line on  the left and the one on the right is showing enough for me to say it is a 40 reverse . I went and looked at mine and even though It is banged up I can still see the steps better than this one I am going to say it is a 38 reverse labeled as a 40 reverse.

Edited November 14, 2023 by J P M

[Lem E]

On 11/13/2023 at 6:32 PM, EagleRJO said:

I assume thats an MS graded nickel

Yes it is graded MS-66 with no FS designation.

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

looks like a 38 to me.

[VKurtB]

Looks like a Reverse of 1938 to me. I have one in MS66FS. (PCGS) Bernie Nagengast estimated the Denvers were about equal of each.

Edited November 14, 2023 by VKurtB

[Lem E]

So here is the reveal. I think everyone knew where this was going. This is in fact the much more common 39S Rev of 38 in a mislabeled holder. I have seen this time and time again with the attribution of both sets of steps being incorrect. I don’t believe this is a mechanical error on the label. It seems that the TPGs struggle with this. I am not trying to bash on the TPGs. The moral of the story is don’t blindly follow what is on the label. Check the coin and make sure it is what it is supposed to be. Everyone makes mistakes. This will of course be returned to the seller and my hunt for this coin will continue. I thank all the members who responded to this post.

[powermad5000]

Darn! I was pretty busy today and just saw this so I couldn't get my "two cents" in on this nickel. 

[VKurtB]

On 11/14/2023 at 1:30 AM, powermad5000 said:

Darn! I was pretty busy today and just saw this so I couldn't get my "two cents" in on this nickel. 

And a dime ain't worth a nickel no more.