a high-grade, fully struck 1981-P nickel would be no problem at all. But that is not
exactly the right. The 1981-P is actually a major condition and particularly elusive
at mint state 66 Full Steps with seven submissions at PCGS and only one coin finer. Welcome back to
Coin Az. Today we are talking about very rare and valuable Jefferson nickels minted in 1981.
The nickel you are looking at is 1981 P 5 cent graded at mint state 66 full steps by
PCGS. Assumed strike rarity. Strike is razor sharp which is evident from steps of Monticello.
Lustrous, brilliant surfaces display splashes of translucent gold and blue
patina. Extraordinarily clean fields. This gem was sold for $1,057.50 at Heritage Auctions.
Next comes this error nickel which is byproduct of misaligned die. Easter rims dissolves into edge,
followed by letterings extending upward. Delicate champagne-pink iridescence blends with smooth,
satiny luster on both sides of this exceptional 1981-P nickel. Circulation strikes of this type
from the 1980s are notoriously challenging to locate with the detail and quality offered here.
It was sold for 900 dollars at online auction held by Stack’s Bowers in 2021.
Now its time for cherry of the pie. Record braking sale of 1981 nickel was registered neither at
Heritage nor at Stacks’. This is ultimate gem of the issue so fare. MS67 with full steps which
was sold for $5,995.00 on Ebay 3 years ago. Now its time to show you our 1981 nickels.
Both carrying P mint mark which stands for Philadelphia mint. As you can see, these are
circulated coins at extremely fine condition. Now
lets caryy out our thorough examination one-by-one! Surfaces of this nickel are nicely
preserved and exhibit sharply struck letterings except the filled in mint mark. Yet we see
numerous contact marks and hairlines on Jefferson bust. On the head part one very deep contact
mark catches the eye. As we turn coin over, it becomes obvious that strike is not that sharp.
Under magnification are able to distinguish only 2-3 steps. Some seagreen
freckles catches the eye around the lower lettering mainly on UNITED.
Second 1981-P nickel displays a very nice reflectivity in spite of loss of mint luster
and abrasions on device and the fields. Some rubbing is evident on hair part of Jefferson bust.
Surfaces of the letterings and rims are abraded. This side of coin is virtually free from vivid
spot or patination. The most eyecatching contact marks is this scratch near the chin.
When we turn it over we see that strike is not that sharp as on Full steps varieties.
All steps are flattened with several slanting marks above.
While below we see some seaweed green hues around the ICE of
MONTICELLO. Numerous tine carbon specks are evident near the right and left collar. Letter
U and S of E Pluribus Unum show medium wear. Now its high time to check the guiding
price list for higher grades of this coin.
That’s all for now! Don’t forget that if you have rare nickels you
can always post them for sale on our website, thecoinaz.com. Take care