1945 S MS66+ full steps

Hmmm. If any interruption in the steps leads it to then not be a true full step, how did 2 different companies give it that designation when neither meets that standard?

I would imagine the main reason people submit Jefferson nickels is because they want the full step designation on a slab. I also have to imagine that TPGs are very much aware of this and they would take great care and scrutiny checking it over just on the full steps grading alone. Did they both just completely rush on these coins and not notice it on either coin from both grading companies?

So as a relative newcomer to this Hobby, I am left to believe that neither of these two should be full steps yet both grading companies said they are, which only leads me to two conclusions:

1. Multiple people at each Grading Company looked at each coin and were wrong in designating them as ms66 full steps according to the standards expressed here for what is considered full steps.

Or

2. That both grading companies properly labeled these as full steps and there is just a disagreement among the members here on coin talk on what the standards are or should be.

How do I find out which is correct?

 

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This could be used as a good example of why a wise and educated collector will set their standards higher than that of the TPGs. If the desire is to add this to your collection and (if) you do not like and/or personally agree with the designation, why pay up for it?

When/if the time comes, it's often more difficult to sell a coin with a questionable designation than it is a solid one, even if there are collectors who do not question the almighty. Perhaps more important is the fact that it's generally unwise to give yourself any reason to dislike having a certain coin in your collection. Coins that do not initially result in a warm fuzzy rarely end up doing so down the road. Just consider this food for thought.

 

Easier to grade in the sense of figuring out uncirculated or circulated, but most people seem to struggle with accurately grading moderns since they don’t collect them or have unrealistic expectations/think they’re all super high grades.

Their standards aren’t universally more lax than ngc. They have different standards on certain things, but most people will say they are tighter graders especially at the high end.

For the coin in question the picture isn't good enough to tell. Grading from BOTH PCGS and NGC has provided pretty strong evidence that the grading as evolved where a hit or planchet mark that wasn't struck out is no longer an automatic disqualification for FS or FBL.

We can certainly have a debate about whether or not any mark should disqualify those designations, but right now I haven't seen anything that indicates that the standard is to exclude anything with any sort of mark.

 

Thanks everyone. I decided to pass on the original coin posted. I will pay a little more for one that unquestionably has no marks on the steps.

As usual, all of you are a great service. I hope I have an opportunity to meet all of you some day. All were respectful and obviously love this hobby. You guys are awesome!

 

Even without knowing the details, I believe you've likely made a wise move.

 

If the coin does not show you what you want to see in that coin type, then sell it and get one that you truly like.

 

I agree with the OP to pass on the original coin. Imagine that the OP owned the coin in question and was trying to sell it. This discussion alone would hamper the sale and truthfully who needs that headache. Look for another coin that leaves no room for ambiguity especially on the FS detail. Personally from the photos I don't think it's a FS coin. Just my amateur opinion.

 

It was actually a coin I was referred to that was for sale on Great Collections. I do not yet have a 1945 S MS66 at full steps. I posted that to see what people thought. I am thankful for everyone's advice.

 

I mistakenly said "upgrade." What I meant was that I have a 1945 s MS66, but wanted one at Full Steps. So I posted that to see what the Coin Talk brain trust said, and as usual, my friends on this forum were honest and gave me some great advice.

I love that people generally want to help each other out here. I love reading all the old posts. This site is wonderful