Full steps question

Hello trying to gain some insight on Jefferson nickels. I have heard that any 50's, 60's, or 70's ones with full steps are worth a premium. I wanted to know if any proof years with full steps command a premium. Always trying to learn. Thanks

 

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For early business strikes, full steps is not the norm (this is overly generalized, but basically true) and coins with FS command a premium. For proof strikes, full steps is the norm.

 

The percentage of full step coins varies widely from year to year. In general, the 50's & 60's are worse than the 40's but there are still some years in both decades where full steps are not rare. For example, Jeffs from 1956-1959 are usually pretty well struck when compared to the early 50's and 60's. Here is an example of a late 50's full step coin.




Proofs are double struck and should always have a decent measure of detail in the strike. As such, proof Jefferson Nickels are not eligible for the full step designations by either grading service.

 

Thanks for the info. I forgot to mention "Mint coins". Are they in same class as proofs? Didn't know about 56-59 issue. Very good to know.

 

The mid to late '60' and 1970 are the toughest with FS. 1971 is easy and after this the requirements for FS goes up because there would be too many if they didn't.

There are many dates from 1971 to the end of the series that are very difficult in nice Gem with FS but FS itself isn't difficult.

Jeffersons, especially from 1965 to date, are very difficult to find as two sided Gems with good strikes with or without FS.

 

I have some nice 1960-D's. Nice on both sides, but steps are all trashed. They may be from mint sets. I can't tell, but I figured they weren't worth much with trashed steps.

 

...........? Trying to digest this post?

 

1970 and earlier five steps are required for FS. After this it takes six steps because the hubs were redone and many more dies made FS.

 

Thanks and did not know that(obviously).Both TPG's?

 

You have the date wrong on the FS designation change. To my knowledge, both PCGS & NGC require 6 full steps starting in 1990. Some examples.







I'm not 100% sure that it is 1990, but I know it is near that.

 

it's interesting that no one seems to be bothered by the steps missing on the extreme right and left of the building. Or by the missing detail at the roof line of the building. Full Steps - great. Missing most of other detail - meh!

 

You're right, I misspoke.

Five and six steps get easier in '71 but the standard changes later.