Grading MS+ Jefferson Nickels.

I am trying to educate myself in the grading of mint state and higher Jefferson Nickels.
I have tried photograde and I also tried by looking at the graded nickels I have.
I just can't seem to distinguish between some of the different grades.

Is there a book or information somewhere that can explain the criteria for each high grade? I really need to know specifically what to look for.
Most grading things I have seen are more about the range from good to MS, not for MS60-MS70.
I know its a science and take a lot of practice, but like I said, Pictures do not help.

 

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Does the PCGS "Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection" book address this?

 

Hey gbroke,
Pretty well the only things I know about this series have come from members here like Speedy and Lehigh, so I would suggest going to those members screens and reading the threads they have started. Lehigh has started more threads regarding high grade nickels than anyone else on the forum. So that would be a good place to start.

 

Yeah, I have contacted Paul(Lehigh) about it in our Jefferson Group.
It is just so frustrating because the slabbed ones I have at MS66 DO NOT look like the ones in pcgs photograde (as far as contact marks go) So I am stumped. I am hoping Lehigh can clear it up for me.

 

Well that makes sense. I am really understanding that it is VERY subjective. I guess I was dreaming to think there was a defined set of criteria to determine the higher grades. I guess I was hoping for some sort of checklist in order of importance. lol
For example:
1: Luster
2: eye appeal
3: contact marks in portrait/field
4: toning as a negative or positive
5: strike
etc..

Sounds to me, like you said, is I have to really check out graded ones and learn through that route.
I really need to look at them and understand what is holding it back from a higher grade etc..

Thank you for the informative reply GDJMSP.

 

That would be fantastic. I will do that tonight. I have a couple in mind. They are 65's and seem to me, to be much nicer then a 66 I have.

I hope this isn't a stupid question, but I'll ask anyway:

Would the criteria to reach higher grades change between years. Since the Jefferson has been such a long run, would earlier Jeffersons get a little more 'leniency' than say, more modern ones? Hope that makes sense.

 

Here's some high gradders from my dad's collection. All are slabbed MS-66 Full Steps by the big 2 graders.

 

Very nice. I haven't even gotten to the moderns one yet! I have been buying A LOT of original bank wrapped rolls from the 50's -70's. Hoping to find some elusive full steps. Dare to dream..

 

Thanks and Good luck!

 

Greg,

The criteria used for the earlier Jeffersons is much different than that used for the 50's & 60's Jeffersons. The quality of the early nickels and moderns is quite good, but the coins produced in the 50's & 60's were generally terrible. To answer your question, don't expect a 1964-D MS67 to look anything like a 1940-D or 1941-D MS67.

Paul

 

Perfect, thanks Paul.

 

I'm curious - what is higher than Mint State?

 

+1

 

Good one - but of course we knew he meant MS60 and higher.

 

Paul,

So you are saying that the criteria TPG'ers use vary by date in the same series? Or am I misinterpreting you?

Chris

 

I believe he is saying that. That is true for a lot of series where there are strike differences between dates.

 

What is wrong with having one dang set of standards and accepting the fact that some dates/mintmarks are inferior and harder to find in good condition.

I was hoping I was misinterpreting Paul.