Tag Archives: CoinFacts

1939-P/D/S Reverses and DDR

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Given the popularity of errors and varieties, new hobbyists might want to train their eye on reverses of the 1939 nickel across mint marks. These are relatively easy to find, and the double die can earn huge value rewards.

The reverse of the standard 1939 issues had a minor die flaw resulting in weakly struck steps of the Monticello device. See the difference of the strikes between the 38 and 40 reverses as depicted in PCGS CoinFacts:

Hobbyists often search for the weak strike of the 1938 reverse, looking for full steps there–and they exist–for higher values. Let’s compare MS67 full-steps versions:

Lower mint state FS examples of the 1938 reverse also trend higher.

So does the 1939-D version. At gem MS65 FS, the 1939-D reverse of 38 retails for $100 whereas the reverse of 40 retails for $80. Values are switched with the 1939-S as gem examples of the 38 reverse retailing at $260 whereas the 40 reverse retails at $265.

But the exercise here is not really in the values but in your ability to distinguish between the two reverses. Let’s take a closer look: with the 38 reverse at the left and the 40 reverse at the right:

Blocks of the steps are narrower and less defined in the 38 reverse and thicker in the 40 reverse. As noted earlier, steps are also sharper in the 40 reverse.

The ability to recognize these variations is important for newer hobbyists still training their eyes to identify types. In this case, microscope viewing tends to make the 38 look like the 40 reverse; so use a loupe under LED or natural lighting.

If you are looking for a big payday, search for the double die reverse of the 1939 regular strike Philadelphia nickel.

Values are substantial, even in lower grades, where you are apt to find them in bank rolls.

Numismatist Ron Guth who used to oversee PCGS CoinFacts writes, “The 1939 Doubled MONTICELLO Nickel is a true condition-rarity and is one of the most difficult Jefferson Nickels to find with Full Steps.” Indeed, though, even examples without full steps are real discoveries with high prices.

The best way to find the double die is to look for the far more common reverses of 1938 and 1940. That’s how veteran hobbyists operate apart from the click-baiters on social media who focus solely on the ultra rarity. Training your eye for the more common type may lead to finding the rarer one.

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You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

1969-D No FG Floating Roof

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Although “No FG” (designer Frank Gasparro’s initials) and “floating roof” of the Lincoln Memorial cent can be found on other dates, especially 1969-S and 1970-S cents, error and variety enthusiasts should focus on the 1969-D cent, which has the highest premium.

The Cherry Pickers Guide and PCGS acknowledged this as a variety but then phased it out because … there were too many being found. That’s not a good reason. Over-polishing coins creates varieties such as the 1937-D 3-legged nickel.

So you decide: keep it, sell it, spend it. But at least know how it happened.

Cherry Pickers’ Guide used to include this as an error but later dropped it from later editions.

I disagree with PCGS phasing out the error and Cherry Pickers’ dropping it. Here’s why: 1969-D Floating Roof is an over polished die, and historically, these have been errors as in the 1922-D missing mintmark and the 3-legged 1937-D nickel. The difference between the 1969-D floating roof and other dates concerns polishing v. die deterioration. That’s why the 1969-D is collectible.

Let’s start with diagnostics so you know where to look if you are searching for this variety.

Compare reverses of a regular strike vs. the FS-901 variety above. (By the way, the “FS” stands for Fivaz-Stanton, surnames of Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton, authors of Cherrypickers’ Guide To Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins):

1969-D “No FG” Lincoln cent, graded MS-66 RD (PCGS)

The 1969-D No “FG”/Floating Roof is fairly common and can be found in pocket change. PCGS has holdered fewer than 50 retailing for less than $100 in low mint state and up to $500 in MS65.

Another “floating” cent–in this time, floating “head”–can be found in the 2019 cent. Again, over polishing caused this error. Top third-party graders do not holder this error, but ICG does:

Don’t be fooled by the extravagant prices being asked for on eBay for “floating roof” cents–with or without the “FG” initials. Here’s an ugly one that even has faint worn initials going for almost $2,000.

As always with eBay, check the “sold” link for floating roofs. (To find the “sold” link, look on the lower left side of the page, as in this screenshot showing how much “floating roof” cents actually sell for on the platform.)

If you are interested in error coins, also see Proxiblog’s “Errors Worth Searching” article. As we have mentioned here before, you stand virtually no chance of finding ultra rare errors like the 1943 copper cent, the 1944 steel cent or the 1982-D Small Date 3.1 gram transitional error.

If you like posts like this, subscribe so you can be informed whenever there is a new article or column.

Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and other venues. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.