1939 Jefferson Nickel Reverses

Final tallies:

- (23/167) 1939 have the 1938 RDV (about 14%)
- (4/7) 1939D have the 1938 RDV
- (7/8) 1939S have the 1938 RDV

The D and S mint tallies are informational as the populations I have on hand are too small.

Thanks for all this info about the Jefferson nickel. I've got several completed sets from 38 to present and since all are in a Whitman Album, no place for different 38's, 39's or 40's. Just one of each. This would mean that manufacturers of Albums either don't know or don't care about 39 reverse differences. Also, probably little differences in over all values of sets with one of the other. I'll have to check at the next coin show to see if any dealers sell these separately.

well thanks for the info just looked at mine and the P&D are a 40R and the S is a 38R

Bumping this to see if John (or anyone else) have generated RDV ratios to share.

Here are my updated numbers for the 1939 Jefferson nickels with either RDV:

1939(P): 40 RDV 1938 / 278 RDV 1940

- 12.5% of my 1939 CRH finds were with RDV 1938
- (1) 1939 was a Henning nickel

1939D: 4 RDV 1938 / 10 RDV 1940

- 28.5% of my 1939 CRH/Auction finds were with RDV 1938

1939S: 9 RDV 1938 / 3 RDV 1940

- 75% of my 1939 CRH/Auction finds were with RDV 1938

I'm in Connecticut, so the larger ratio for the Philly mint when compared to Coloradobryan may be location, location, location. My Denver finds/bids, the ratio is similar to Bryan's. I'm lucky enough to have an LCS where coins appear on the bid board (origins of the coins unknown) and 3 had the RDV 1938. With that in mind 3 of 12 with RDV 1938. And finally, for 1939S, most of what I've found/acquired have the RDV 1938.

What this seems to suggest to me at this point is this:

- For 1939, the rarer RDV 1938 are more valuable
- For 1939D, the rarer RDV 1938 are more valuable
- For 1939S, the rarer RDV 1940 are more valuable

Keep in mind that I'm on the East Coast and the origins of the coins I won off the board are unknown (e.g., were these east/central/west finds originally and purchased by the poster before migrating east?). I see a poster has a 1939D on the board with RDV 1938. At the price being asked, it's not a great bargin. But being the rarer variety, it approaches an interesting price point.

I like my Philly numbers since these were all roll finds. My Denver and San Fran data may be skewed by not knowing the history behind the origin of the coins I took off the bid board. But perhaps roughly right. If members here, especially our bigger CRH enthusiasts, have the data for their hoards, I'd love to know what ratios they are finding. And I think that having this knowledge will have our members in position to cherrypick finds.

Thanks everyone for the input to Bryan's thread; it makes us all smarter!

I recall your graphic Earle: by the numbers you posted below for the 1939S I should have a better split/ratio. But your illustration coin was DDR; a nice bonus!!

Did you get the ratios based on your inventory?

Hi Earle - I think that your data/information is fine relative to the source you reference. What's unusual about my small group of 1939S is that the ratio is so exaggerated (but completely understandable). My data suggests that the 1939S with the RDV 1940 is the rarer event, but based on your information, it should be an even split (which is probably the case). Premiums may be extended to the Type 1 1939 and 1939D. If the seller knows that there is a difference, then they will charge more for the 1939/1939D with RDV 1938. If they don't, folks here stand a good opportunity to catch better deals! For example, using the Strike it Rich suggested values, a 1939-P in XF condition with RDV 1938 should fetch $35. Otherwise, RB value for the date (regardless of RDV) is about $0.50. Identifying what you have could put meaningful value in your pocket.

Hi Earle - I'm happy to collaborate!! I will do a little looking to see if there is anything published. I think that imbedding it in your graphic is the right way to go for our fellow enthusiasts. Lots of data/information in a compact graphic.