Numismatics take their position in the top lists of those ventures that so much attract into the chronicles of history, all those other beautiful arts, and discoveries. Besides that, it has rare coins deeper in value, often those that were minted under uncommon conditions or odd designs and have some peculiar history behind them.
1939 Jefferson Nickel:
The Story of a Rare Coin Along With Its Highly Consistent Sister Coins
Of these would include the 1939 Jefferson Nickel, which sold to the highest offering bid of $350,000 at recent auction. Collectors enjoy the coin so much, besides the fact that there are only three or four that might still be hidden in your pocket today, and one of them might be worth a fortune.
History and Characteristics
On one side, it has the picture of the third American president Thomas Jefferson, and on the other, it has Monticello-the famous home of Thomas Jefferson. The 1939 model card fell to be so very rare because of some special minting errors and also for this, it makes the coin super valuable.
Varieties of 1939 Jefferson Nickel
1939 Double Monticello-Presents on the reverse a doubled stamp of Monticello. Heavily coveted by collectors.
1939 “Reverse of 1940“- Kind neat because this, but it has the reverse die of the 1940 Jefferson nickel, thus making it unique and valuable.
1939 ‘Full Steps’-the deeper and clearer the steps of Monticello, the better the price.
In good condition, this coin could be sold for perhaps $350,000 if it has any of these rare features.
Jefferson Nickel variation designs include:
Another Coin With Rarity and Worth
Among the rare coins that can stand up side by side with the 1939 Jefferson nickel worth millions of dollars are:
1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar
1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar is among the scarcest and costliest coins in America.
Key points:
Mint mark: The ‘S’ means minted in the San Francisco Mint.
Design: On the front is Liberty Lady. On the back is an eagle with an arrow, and holding an olive branch.
Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
The total mintage is 100,000 coins and hence become extremely rare. It sold for as much as $2 million at auction.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Perhaps, no numismatic phenomenon has had as much historical mystery or controversy surrounding it as this coin, for there are only about five known pieces in existence.
Characteristics:
Design: an image of Lady Liberty in the public eye engraved “V” (five) Roman numerals on the reverse.
History: This coin is illegal made by underhanded mint employees even after the officers went to issuing the Buffalo nickel in 1913.
One 1913 Liberty Head nickel sold at auction for $3.7 million in 2018, making it one of the most expensive coins in America.
1943 Copper Penny
In 1943, most pennies minted were made of steel because there was a critical shortage of copper in the U.S. Mint. Copper pennies were accidentally made and are now counted as rare coins.
Some Features Include:
Composition: 1943 pennies made from steel, while the copper variety would be an accidental byproduct of the minting process.
Identification: This penny would exhibit a shade different from the regular 1943 steel penny and would not be attracted to a magnet. A 1943 copper penny reportedly fetched an auction price of $840,000.
How to Identify Rare Coins?
When trying to ascertain your coins’ value, you might take into consideration the following:
- Check for minting errors: There could be double images or missing letterings, strange designs.
- Look for the date and mint mark: Certain dates and mints are just that much harder to come across.
- Condition of the coin: The better the condition, the greater the value.
- Look at it with a magnifying glass: Minute details can actually highlight some rare characteristics.
Conclusion:
This may be one of the most interesting pastimes, not only as a trip down memory lane through history, but also an educational experience in itself. The thrill of finding the rare coin and piecing together its history.
FAQS:
What makes the 1939 Jefferson Nickel worth $350,000?
The 1939 Jefferson Nickel has a value of $350,000 on account of its rarity, condition, as well as specific minting errors. One of its most valuable versions is a 1939-D “Reverse of 1940” with Full Steps (this grading detail refers to the sharpness of the details on Monticello’s steps).
What does the term “Full Steps” denote in Jefferson Nickels?
Full Steps simply refers to the sharpness of the steps of Monticello, appearing on the reverse side of Jefferson Nickels. To qualify as Full Steps, five (sometimes six) steps must be visible and free of damage. These greatly increase a value of coins.
How do I know if I’ve got a valuable 1939 Jefferson Nickel?
Mintmark D (for Denver) or S (for San Francisco) will tell you apply Full Steps conditions on the back of the coin. Then do an error, unusual and general condition check. For confirmation on its value, let it go through a grading by a well-known service such as PCGS or NGC.