To Keep Or Not To Keep New Dated FS Nickels?

Finding modern Jefferson nickels with FS is a common event. Finding high grade moderns with FS is a tougher task (top MS finds) but not impossible. I usually will crack a roll or two of the recent year's production in the early months of the year to find prime specimens. Put those in flips/storage and return the rest. Keep in mind that modern Jefferson nickel productions are massive; there will be tens of millions of high grade specimens 30 years from now. Contrasting that to a 1950D (2.6M total production), the value of modern Jeffersons will be marginal. Only the very highest grades will covet a fair price. So find yours now to have for later.

To expand on what Rackster said, the Mint changed how dies were produced in the early 90s (1993 maybe?) and as a result, nearly all nickels have full steps now. I would echo that if you are looking to build a set, either purchase an album or make a list and get the highest grade coin you can find from each date and mint.

For what it's worth, if you are only interested in the end result, you can buy mint sets off of ebay for like $2-5 each, excepting years with scarcer coins (e.g. 1970, 1981, 1987, 1996). The prices do go up after the State Quarter program starts. You will be hard pressed to find a coin in circulation that is as good as a mint set coin.

Keep the ones that you like.

It's all about the simple pleasures!