Dove grey surfaces are complimented by almond patina with blushes of mint green. Extremely clean surfaces and satin luster in combination with an undeniable complete strike.

This coin also displays what Bernard Nagengast calls the halo effect in THE JEFFERSON NICKEL ANALYST. Nagengast writes:

A curious luster contrast is frequently encountered on San Francisco minted Jefferson Nickels through 1954. This luster contrast is circular in nature, and is apparently the result of uneven die wear or die polishing or even a combination of the two. Often heavy metal flow lines are present, especially around the letters and devices. The halo effect is especially common on 1939 through 1941 issues.

Here is the Heritage Coin description from the 2008 January FUN Sale in Orlando: 1940-S 5C MS67 Five Full Steps NGC. This shimmering, olive-gold Superb Gem nickel is fully struck and impressively preserved. Some wavy marks in the fields are as struck, and may have been caused by die polishing. Census: 2 in 67 Five Full Steps, 0 finer (12/07).