The Atlantic City Set of Jefferson Nickels (1938-Date)
1948-S

Owner Comments:

Mintage: 11.3 Million
Full Step Availability: 5%
Population MS66 5FS: 92/0
Date/mm Information: The 48-S has the best quality of all of the "S" mint nickels from 1946-1954.

Coin Description:
The photo gives the viewer just a glimpse of the fantastic iridescent shades of chartreuse, lime green, and strawberry magenta obverse toning that needs to be seen to be truly appreciated. A few minor marks on Jefferson's coat limit the grade but this coin would have very good chance at an MS67 grade in an NGC holder IMO. At the very least it would be an MS66+ and possibly a star. The steps are a solid 5 full steps and I am confident they would grade as full steps at NGC. Using the quarter step method, I grade them 6-5-5-5. A premium quality coin in a top tier population of 92/0.

Comments:
This coin is the second coin that was part of the Monticello Collection offered by DLRC in May 2010 with the 1938 being the first. There is actually a curious story behind my bid on this coin. With a few days left in the auction, a high end coin collector e-mailed me asking about the Monticello Collection. This collector is in the top ten in total points in the NGC registry He told me that he considered me a connoisseur of Jefferson Nickels and wanted my opinion of the collection. He also stated that he was not bidding but was curious about what I thought. I told him that the collection had some real winners and some dogs. I also told him that I considered the steal of the entire auction this 1948-S. If you look closely at the very poor DLRC scan, you will notice hints of color on the obverse of the coin. Based on experience, I knew that this coin most likely had beautiful pastel iridescent rainbow toning. Fortunately, the terrible DLRC scan ensured that I would not have to pay a premium price for the toning and ended up paying 60% of PCGS Price Guide.