Please guess the grade of the 1944-D Jefferson Nickel shown below. I have attached a poll for you to cast your vote and you may select up to 4 different things: the numerical grade, Full Steps, + grade, and * designation. As always comments welcome, please remember to vote in the poll.
Love the golden color; big fan of how the WWII silver nickels tone. As voted above, I think this is MS66*. Based on what I'm seeing, I don't believe it's full steps.
I'm going to call it MS67. I don't think it gets FS because I see an area in the middle of the steps where you lose it. I also think it doesn't get a "*" because I don't think the eye appeal is there. The gold is beautiful and the luster looks great...but I think it got the 67 so no "*." If it been graded MS66, I see a star.
66+ no FS no *. Jefferson nickels seem to be tough finding them with *'s unless they are cameo or have real spectacular toning.
I went 66. It's a beautiful coin and the color is great. I did not say FS due to the small but noticeable bag marks. I would have went 67 but the reverse holds it back a grade.
66 5fs ....I can make out the five steps; the luster looks strong; a few hits keep it out of a higher grade in my view
I should have said that I can make them out if using the standards that I believe the TPGs use (meaning if it is close enough, then it goes through and that cuts/hits don't necessarily stop it from being FS).
This is where my understanding is on the FS designation: From the Jefferson Nickel Organization “Full Steps” is a grading designation used for regular strike Jefferson Nickels which have at least five steps visible at the base of Monticello on the reverse. In order to receive the designation, there must be no disturbance of the steps due to strike weakness, contact marks, or planchet problems. Not trying to argue, just trying to be accurate.
I agree with that description representing full steps. Unfortunately, in practice I see it being loosened. The TPGs don't seem to follow that written standard. Based on these GTGs and other slabbed examples I've seen, I tend to guess that if it's close, then the TPG likely gave the FS (especially if it's not a date where the FS designation is rare).
That is correct, but the you then have to define the word "disturbance." The TPGs don't define "disturbance" as any mark or planchet flaw, rather one that completely interrupts the step. What you are seeing above the "T" is so shallow that it doesn't actually break the step. There is some strike weakness on the 4th step above the "C" but again it doesn't actually break the step. I see no problem with the area you referring to above the "E". The only thing there is between the 5th & 6th steps which doesn't count since both services will grade the coin full steps as longs the coin has 5 full steps.
See, for me...the area on the 4th step just above the C is where I see a break. Ever so slightly...but I lose where the delineation between the 3rd and 4th step. That is why I said no FS. But, maybe in hand its there. So, I'm going to stick with MS67 no FS.
When using the column method I think this coin is 6-5-5-6. I don’t believe the minuscule ticks hold it back from a 5FS coin.
So...can I infer this to mean the coin did in fact earn an FS? Or...perhaps that it did not and you disagree with their assessment???