1965 Jefferson Nickel with steps found in coin roll

Lo and behold, I'm going through another nickel coin roll (have you noticed that rarely a 1940s or 1950s nickel turns up), and this nice shiny obverse comes up and instantly the 1965 date stuck out like a shining beacon. I just looked at it, and I wanted to just turn it over quickly because I said, 'this is it, five steps.' I hesitated, and finally turned it over to view the reverse. Pictured are results. I tried several different pictures. What does everyone think? value?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Not full steps.

 

Definitely not full steps. There are circulation hits all over the steps.

 

Nice roll find definitely not FS

 

No definitely not full steps, but a decent amount of steps are shown, which I thought was cool. Full steps would bring like 1500 at heritage auction.

 

These are full steps.

 

I toss these out all the time! I really wished you had FS!

 

I see 1 knick when I CRH these and they go back to the bank!

 

In my experience, finding high grade 1965, 1966, and 1967 especially EDS/MDS is rather difficult during a CRH event. A specimen like @DAVID J SAUNDERS found is a terrific find. They were still producing 1964/1964D nickels in those years, so with lower production numbers most circulation finds for those years are worn. And many appear LDS too.

 

Those are the kinds of steps you’d even fall down going up.

 

Translate the idioms please?

 

EDS/MDS/LDS/VLDS all refer to the various die stages. Early, Middle, Late, Very Late Die Stages. As the die ages, the devices and design start to weaken (become less distinct/sharp) so things like 'steps' become washed out, lettering becomes narrowed at first, then mushy. Die attrition becomes most noticeable along the outer devices and rim. Eventually though, through wear-and-tear and die clashes, everything becomes washed out (deep design and the field) and flowlines become more apparent on the coin.

CRH refers to Coin Roll Hunting.

 

Say, it ain't so Joe.

 

the obverse

 

Thanks. I enjoyed finding it. i've probably gone through 400 nickel rolls in the past covid year and none with FS (which I hope for but don't expect), and 4 or 5 in the 1963-66 dates with decent steps. I attached the obverse in a reply just now.

 

That's a nice looking coin for a roll.
The FS nickels found in SMS sets are gonna be obsolete. Especially those found in circulation.
The nickels have been scoured over since they came out.
The reverse die had been long overworked. FS coins are hard to come by from 60' till about 68'.
Those steps I posted are from a 2006. Easy to find in FS.
Here is a close to 5 step 63.

 

??

 

FS = Full Steps for the steps on the Monticello. Steps are a design feature preferred by many for the series. Since they are deep in the working goes they are subject to wash as the die progresses through the die stages. And since they are high relief in the coin they are subject to wear and damage. Even uncirculated specimens aren’t a guarantee for fully defined and I damaged steps. Special Mint Sets (SMS) are a source for the very best specimens. No Proof coins for 1965 as I recall where you’d expect to find FS specimens. This is why nickels for 1982 and 1983 in MS condition are sought after. No proofs or SMS nickels if I remember that correctly. Someone recently posted a pair of 1987 nickels for grading. That’s another year of interest in the more modern era of nickels. FS specimens are difficult to find in a CRH event.

 

That's so far from full steps I can only say that you need to read up on the subject.

 

Gotta ask...not to single you out or anything...since you mentioned an interesting aspect: Which FS would that be...5 or 6...for that $1500...? Am guessing likely the 5, since that's more the PCGS bar and with PCGS and Heritage being...well. But if indeed just 5 (really just 4+1), what value would 6 (really just 5+1) bring beyond $1500...? Surely more, as 6 (5+1) is more than 5 (4+1). If I've confused you or anyone, not to fret...I've been logically confused/challenged with this since I learned of it just a few weeks ago. Hopefully, one day we'll have logical, industry-wide NUMISMATIC STANDARDS for all these steps/lines/bands and such...to be factored/reflected in the overall grade.