War Nickel purchase

I'm happy with my coin store purchase today... went looking for a war nickel, but they were priced higher than I expected. This was one of the cheapest they had, and when I flipped it over:



it may just be full steps. It's a 1943-P... paid $8. It's got a little spot over the "E" in AMERICA, but who among us is perfect?

 

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That nick in the bottom step will keep it from getting "6 steps", but "5 steps" looks very possible.

 

I was under the impression that six steps was for modern issue, and that 5 steps is the highest possible for a war nickel...am I mistaken?

 

...nice purchase!

 

Cool Nickle !!

 

Found one.
Seems that 6 full steps do exist for War Nickels, at least according to NGC.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1943-D-NGC-MS65...mQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item563adb34e8

 

Well, it's not full steps, not even 5 steps, because of the breaks, but it's still a decent pickup for what you paid.

Just for clarification, there is a break from step 5 to step 1, between pillars 1 and 2, going from lower left to upper right. Step two and three are broken in between pillars 2 and 3. Steps 6 (which isn't really there) and 5 are broken under pillar 3.

I know it may seem like nitpicking, but full-step people are picky people.

I strongly advocate the quarter-step method, which involves counting the steps under each pillar. I would grade this coin 5-5-5-5 using that method, but that still doesn't make it full steps. I personally grade my nickels using this method.

 

Yes...I agee...very nice coin for what you paid....but it's not FS. Sorry

 

Why does everyone apologize when they critique my coins? I'm sure you're just being polite, but you are just giving your evaluation based on your expertise. No need to apologize, that's what the feedback and give-and-take of a forum is all about.

Thanks for the comments, guys, it doesn't bother me that it's not quite full steps, though I am very glad to know what I have -- which is why I appreciate your replies so much.

 

Nice war nickel just the same. With war nickels you gotta look, look some more and keep looking, but that's part of the fun and the draw. Full steps is only part of the equation but not everything, by a long shot. Sure I like finding a war nickel with full steps but you can't eliminate all war nickels that have a bag mark on the steps either.

Personally I look at the strike on the coin, the steps and then all the other factors like the toning, if any, any blemishes and after I determine how far the strike takes that nickel as far as how high it will grade then I try to determine how it's gonna look to everyone else. Also the factors involved in a nicely stuck nickel don't always fall in the order I mentioned above, sometimes the eye appeal hits me first, like a fly in the eye.

I'll tell ya' there's alot of factors involved when buying raw coins, especially war nickels. As far as steps go, I really don't care if it's a 5 step or a 6 step nickel as long as the existing steps are clear cut and sharp. Beauty will always be in the eye of the beholder, but a well stuck nickel can not be denied.

 

"I'll tell ya' there's alot of factors involved when buying raw coins"

There are a lot of factors, indeed. The buyer's overall perception is most important. To me, eye appeal is everything. I don't care if a nickel is MS-68 with full steps -- if it has fly specks on it, I don't want it for my collection.

 

First-Off, Nice Coin ! After studing this for quite sometime, IMO'? would be , Just like, "Kanga's... great looking,but has a couple hit's there, that really hurt it, on the Step/Dept/ but, for what you paid,,, You did OK! Congrats'! Chasindreams/

 

I think it's a good deal either way.

 

The 6 full step designation does not have a date restriction. It only seems that way with regards to moderns because 6FS early Jefferson are not easy to find. Here is a photo of a 1941-D (pre-war nickel) with 6FS designation.

I can't really grade the steps on the left because the photo is not completely in focus. However, the areas you pointed out look to be related to glare. I do agree that the mark on the 6th step would prevent the coin from getting a 6FS designation. However, it is still a very strong 5FS IMO.

 

I said I'm sorry as I too have purchased coins / or sent in to a TPG to be let down by finding out they won't grade and the coin is cherry. Two of mine were a 37 D 3 legger and 43 /2 that came from an unc. roll my dad had put away......just like hitting the lotto finding a great coin is so exciting only to be let down by being non gradeable.

 

Are you saying that the only way Nickels will be graded is if they have full steps? is it only worth buying nickels w/ FS?

 

Lehigh - nice coin!

Paddy - was was wrong with your 3 legger?

 

How about 5.9 steps? It's a great find. Congratulations.

 

I guess this is the ultimate sell the slab, not the coin situation. Emphasize the reverse and then only show the obverse.

 

No thats not what I said...I said it's a let down when you find a cherry coin that's rare & only to be let down by a TPG. As for FS yes it's a fact that nickels with FS will bring a heck of alot more...and yes if you can ....only buy FS as that will keep your value in that nickel over years to come.