Please guess the grade of the 1942-S Jefferson Nickel shown below. I have attached a poll for you to cast your vote and you may select up to 3 different things: the numerical grade, Full Steps, & + grade. As always, comments welcome!
66; not FS ...clean with minimal marks but the steps don't appear to be there to qualify even for 5fs
66 5-4-5-5 Interesting that one of the lower steps runs through the brick on the right. Similar to how the bars on capped bust halves sometime run past the outer portion of the shield.
I’m a little surprised how many people thought the coin missed full steps. The only real area of concern is the 3rd & 4th steps below the 2nd pillar where the weakness seems to create a bridge. I contend that the step is visible under a glass and that given the strength of the overall steps, it should be given full steps. As for the grade, @Collecting Nut nailed it first, although most of the respondents, including myself, see this as an MS66. This coin was liberated from a fire damaged PCGS holder. Thanks for playing.
I too like this as a 66. If PCGS wouldn’t give it FS than NGC definitely wouldn’t. I think the bridge under column 2 just kicks it out. I will say though that this is the type of coin I would proudly display in my collection as it’s pretty much as close to FS as you can get and if I don’t have to pay the premium all the more better. Who really cares about full steps anyway. Those people are crazy. In hand without a loupe you wouldn’t see the bridging of the steps anyway so what gives. Carry on.
