The Atlantic City Set of Jefferson Nickels (1938-Date)
1942 NICKEL

Owner Comments:

Name: Off Target (2020 Upgrade)

Mintage: 49.8 Million
Full Step Availability: 5%
Date/mm: Quality varies on business strikes but they tend to be lustrous as the result of tired/overused dies.

Coin Description: An unusual toning pattern on this prewar Jefferson. Typically coins stored in albums develop what is called "target toning" when concentric bands of toning form at the peripheries and advance towards an untoned center which resembles the bullseye of shooting target. In the case of this coin, the bullseye has formed off center and prompted me to name the coin "off target." The untoned off center bullseye yields outwards to stunning rainbow toning in bands of lemon, cotton candy pink, and emerald green that then hides under a sandy patina on the left side of the obverse. The reverse has similar bands of color that seem to be less off center than the obverse. A possible reason for this toning pattern is that the coin may have been housed in the album tilted at an angle rather than flush with the hole.

Comments: For nearly a decade, a golden toned MS67 resided in this slot and until I spotted this coin in an eBay no reserve auction, I had never even glimpsed a rainbow toned 1942 T1. So when I say this coin, I placed a very strong bid and captured a rare upgrade for this collection on 10/25/2020.