Here’s a bit of numismatic nerdery. I don’t know if you keep an eye on your pocket change for anomalous coins, but if you do you know that nickels are pretty much the oldest coins you’ll find semi-regularly. It’s not too uncommon for me to find nickels from the 40s and 50s. That’s because until just recently, the Jefferson nickel was unchanged since its introduction in 1938. Dimes and quarters switched from all silver in 1964 and got out of circulation for the most part by the early 70s (though I found a 1954 dime three years ago). The Lincoln penny dates from 1909 but got a new reverse side in 1959. Before that they’re known as “wheaties” and by about 2000 those wheaties were pretty much gone. I’m finding about 10 a year max and they’re mostly from the 50s (with an exception from 1930!). That leaves the nickel. Anyway, here’s a 1939 Jefferson nickel I found last week plus a true one in a million pocket change rarity, an Indian Head nickel from 1936 I got a couple years ago.
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