It's really close, but I'd give it the benefit of the doubt. It's really of little consequence, however, as '50-D nickels are readily available with steps.
True that 50 D's are pretty plentiful in FS a and this one is close I say no! To many small hits on several steps to make it. At least by NGC . Who IMHO are tougher on grading Jefferson nickels. Nice coin though.
No. Originally when NGC first started designating full step Jefferson Nickels, it would only award the FS designation if the coin had 6 full steps until April of 2003. After that date, NGC began designating coins as 5FS or 6FS. ANACS, since the old green holder days at least, has designations similar to NGC's current practice. PCGS always had the practice of giving a FS designation for 5 steps or more. Thanks to everyone who has participated so far. I wanted an objective opinion on this piece. It is in a NGC old no line fatty hence the reason I ask about the steps.
OK. The coin is actually in a no line fatty NGC holder and graded as MS67. I never thought the coin had a shot at a 6FS designation. At the time this coin was graded, NGC would not designate 5FS coins with a FS designation at all. I was unsure about the latter given the ticks (given that the designation is applied inconsistently) and whether it would be worth submitting under the designation review tier. As for it mattering, it usually doesn't, but at MS67, if it comes back as 5FS, it becomes a $1000+ coin, which would make it a super rip. Thank you everyone for participating!
I think it has a decent shot at 5FS but can't say for sure with the photos provided. There seems to be a small nick under the third pillar that might keep it from full steps. Given the price increase, I think it is definitely worthy of a designation review.