1959-D Jefferson Nickel / Grading And Question

Does Tom have a (die) chip on his shoulder?

Strike quality has minimal impact on grade, maybe a point, and then only at 65 and above. OTOH strike quality, and quality relative to average for the date, will impact the coin's value. I like the sharpness of the lettering on yout coin, but do not care for the polishing lines, but that's just me. Other collectors will value other attributes.

Interesting! So by this theory, if these clashes / lines were a particular "variety" of 1959-d nickel (i.e. morgan-peace dollar pitted reverse), then this coin would have a very nice grade.
Righto?

I don't have a link for you, but can say in theory every coin grades MS-70 at the minting press, and it's downhill from there. Another coin bumps it as it leaves the press, now down to MS-69. As it is is bagged at the mint, another coin bangs harder against it, now MS-67. The truck ride from the mint adds more dings, now MS-66, etc.

Conversely, even misfigured coins, such as ones bent in the press, can be graded MS-65 or better if they are marred by few hits.

Your nickel has a deep hit on Monticello's dome. Big hits reduce the grade more than small ones. Hits in fields, because they are more visible, reduce the grade more than hits on the devices. I'd put your coin at MS-65.

Stephen P, I believe this question has been answered by most grading parties. Lets start with basics first. What does MS stand for? What does BU stand for? Nowhere in these grade designations does it mention die cleaning or worn dies or damaged dies from the mint. So any coin leaving the mint regardless of eye appeal will be BU/MS. Grading companies though have broken down grades and increased a coins value based on "eye appeal" but regardless of how a die was cleaned the coin is graded according to the industries standards. Hope this helps.