Jefferson Collection Test

I did a little test to see what Jefferson nickels I could pick up in pocket change over a 3 day period. I removed all of the 5 cent pieces I received in change. I may have cheated a little bit since I asked for nickels in the change :)

In 3 days, I received 15 nickels in my pocket change. Today, I sat down and tabulated the results. I was shocked at the number of pre-1980 coins and really think this was a fluke. I will do another test next week to check my results.

Anyway, I received:

• 2 - 2008 D
• 1 - 2005 D
• 1 - 2004 P
• 3 - 1998 D (must have been a good year)
• 1 - 1972 P
• 1 - 1970 P
• 2 - 1969 D
• 1 - 1964 P
• 1 - 1960 D
• 1 - 1954 D
• 1 - 1949 D

Granted, except for the 2008 and 2005 coins, most have some wear. All of the coins prior to 1972 had significant wear as shown on the reverse side when the Memorial is not very clear. None of the coins I collected for this test will make it into my Jefferson collection since I have better examples already but if this is any indication of future performance, you can have an excellent beginning on your collection. Think what you could discover if you went to the bank and just got a couple of rolls of nickels (only $2.00 per roll and you have another 40 coins to examine).

So go out there and give it a try. If, after a while, you discover you dislike collecting:

1. You haven't invested much money in the hobby, and,
2. You can always spend what you collected.

I like to think about who else may have handled the coins I get. I wonder if they spent this nickel on a piece of candy or if their grandpa gave it as a shiny gift to their grandson.