What Jefferson Nickels Should I Watch For?

Oh I love this topic! Love those pictures!
The three pictures so far would be keepers for me.
That 62 is an exceptional strike for that date and ( no mint mark)
If it were a D Wowee!
Still unusual.I think it would get MS 64 from the likes of PCGS but there are a few light ticks on the steps that might make it miss a FS designation.
I still think it's a dandy and I would keep it if I had it.
64's were minted by the billions yes, therefore well struck gems with full steps are very scarce anyway due to die wear from overuse.
Show me a GEM 5 step 1964 D in MS 65 and better and somebody might easily show you a $15.00 bill.
That is a nice 1989 P and they too are a bit scarce with that good of a strike but what is that on the obverse in the letters WE? verdigris? If so, that's a shame.
I would soak this one in olive oil or mineral oil and try to get that off using the acetone and minimize the spot best I could.
That is a nice example of a "black beauty" 1959 but looks to be under BU, still nice, a keeper to me.
I know the flash is making it lighter.
These are a dark, almost gun metal in color.
Not black, but a strange shiny dark grey/black. You'll know when you have one. I have seen some from the 60's as well.

Nice, that's good news on the W
I am always so happy to see interest in this series.
The more the merrier.

Ah ha, it is quite a study isn't it? Wait til you start on looking for doubled dies and repunched mint marks.

Even though I was anticipating you listing some of your nickels for sale, I would be even more excited if you got more interested in the series. The more the merrier. When times are a little tight, there's always the Jefferson nickel to search for. And all it cost you is a nickel. Actually, if it is your nickel you put aside, it cost you nothing until you sell it.

I think that I might find something I like. I have a lot of nickels that are not UNC or full steps, that I am fond of.
Let me know.

I am not positive, what causes this. I was told it was a dark alloy mixture that the blanks were made from when the were punched out of sheets. HSN a telemarketer says that these are nicknamed the "Black Beauty," this extraordinary coin gets its distinctive black finish from being sintered, or left in the furnace too long during the annealing process. These unique nickels are a true gem for coin collectors.

Annealing is the heating of metals to soften or harden. I think it is a similar change in the metal similar to tempering knife blades.

Regardless, these are not stained, it is not a toning phenomena from age and storage. These came from the mint bags in pretty much this color. I just plain like them. As I have stated before, I have found these most commonly in the dates from Phila. 1954 1955 1956 1957 1959 1960 and less often but from both mints 1961 through 1964.

I have sent you a message wheezydog!! :)