Found this going through my pile of unsearched coins. I count 6 or 7 steps. But I'm using my cell phone as a magnifying glass. Can anyone check the photos (best I can get of the coin) and weigh in on what you think. Thanks
Based on those pics it's really hard to tell I'm sure you are aware of that, but it appears that there's some damage to the steps so I think that would slightly effect the full steps. JMHO Dave
If that's a gash across most of the steps under the first pillar it wouldn't be considered Full Steps. BTW: That phone isn't doing you any favors if your seeing more than 6 steps. I can mail a usable 5x optical magnifier to you if you need it.
As Pickin alluded to, full steps is a big deal mostly on earlier higher-relief Jeffersons. I forget the exact date, but you'll find them (short wear or damage) to be the norm on later low relief coins.
The change seemed to start in the early 90's. I'd imagine that it was around the same time the mint changed the hubbing process.
If memory serves me, it wasn't until 1997 that all cents and nickels were produced using the single squeeze method. I'm not sure if it was used selectively prior to then or not.
I will check my red book, if my memory is correct. It is easier to find 6 step nickels from 90 on than it is to find one with 5 steps. You may be right about the single squeeze, I could have been thinking of the end of hand punched MM.
I do know that the last year for hand-punched mintmarks on cents was 1989, but am not sure about nickels. My gut tells me it was shortly thereafter, but it's certainly possible that I'm confusing the two. It wouldn't surprise me at all regarding the 6 vs. 5 step issue, but please do let us know.
There have been 5 reverse designs since the start of the Jefferson Nickels. 38' to 2004 The last is the reverse of 82'. In 87' the mint began a regular maintenance on the Master hubs. This has made 5 and 6 step nickels quite common. Except 89 and 90 where 6 step nickels are very scarce. 5 steps are 1 in 5. In 2006 after the Westword Journey nickels were produced, High grade 6 step nickels are the Norm.
Have to be uninterrupted steps to count. You can clearly see these are not. They just don"t throw these FC ratings around
Thanks all. I don't have a lot of high end coins and just enjoy part time collecting for something to do after work. I have ordered off esty a few times and learned real quick it's not worth the money ( unsearched rolls my a$$) so for just a part tinker, when my wife is watching her home improvement shows. Any advice on where to pick up good rolls of coins without getting robbed
Yes , they do need to be continuous Although a group called PAK, I believe started in the 50's, one of the members came up with a four point system to grade the undergraduates. The steps under each pillar got a number from 1 to 6 seps. The equation would look like this. There was a thread about a 65 Jefferson posted recently I would give his a 5-5-4-5
