If it is self explanatory, why did you need to ask whether your coin is full steps? The intricacies of how the designation is applied at PCGS vs NGC is not self explanatory. The difference between the Reverse of 38 vs Reverse of 40 is not self explanatory. If it were self explanatory, people would never disagree about full step status in guess the grade (GTG) threads. You seem to have a “this stuff is easy” kind of attitude, but let me remind you that you are the one who showed up asking us if an AU 2015-P Nickel is full steps, and then divulged you don’t even know what AU means.
I understand your point, but the population reports don’t support your theory. In the past, the designation was related to strike and most of the coins that didn’t qualify were due to strike weakness. So while the mint has effectively eliminated any strike weakness, bag marks that interrupt the steps will still preclude the designation on modern coins. The current NGC census in MS67 for 2015-P is: MS67: 48/1 67 6FS: 13/0 That said, you point is well taken, I would never buy a modern Jefferson Nickel that didn’t have full steps.
If that’s your attitude then I won’t be answering any of your questions. This is not a paid help line. You have to put some effort in and contribute in order to get something back. Best of luck with whatever you are trying to accomplish.
My 2 cents worth (not even a nickel ). The designation Unc or Uncirculated means that the coin shows no signs of wear whatsoever. There might be bag marks or blemishes or spots, but if there is no wear visible, it is Unc. Very slight signs of wear would drop it to AU or Almost Uncirculated. Since we usually have no idea of a coin's history, we can only go by what we see. Welcome to CT, do you collect?
I've been trying to put together a complete Jefferson set with full steps but decided I couldn't afford some of the rare full steps dates; especially the 50's S mint dates. I was designated FS before but it wasn't for Full Steps.
I have assembled a complete uncirculated set of Jeffersons and only a few of the early dates have full steps since the cost is out of my price range. Still a beautiful set just the same.
...thanks for the link, after reading it, imo, any business strike at MS60 as a minimum grade is eligible for the designation if it has a Monticello reverse. The OP nickel is borderline MS, and borderline 5 full step. The top line between steps 1 and 2 is not broken/occluded by contact marks, wear or damage, but the top step has at least 4 dents from contact. The disqualifier for 6 full step is the line between steps 5 and 6, of which is occluded. That line is now wavy, not straight. I believe this general analysis is used on all Monticello reverse nickels, but weak die dates, like in the 50s, are determined case by case by TPGs. I welcome any corrective info, should this not be an entirely accurate assessment...Spark
I asked because at the time I didnt know for sure that it was self explanatory, I figured it was but wasnt sure. And to me it's pretty self explanatory after what I read and seen. And I'm not sure how you get that I think this stuff is easy, but it's not. I dont have hardly ever have time in my day to read anything except what I do for work. I go thru my pocket change to collect error coins or unique coins every day and that takes up enough time as it is. I'm just learning here. You dont have to answer none of my questions if you dont want to, theres plenty of more people here that might. I asked if it was an example of one, to ask everyone's opinion. I'm a beginner, so of course I'm gonna ask questions and ask opinions and ask definitions or what abbreviations are.
Thank you, this is one of the best answers so far. That's the article I read also once before and I agree that it could be 5 or 6 FS. Didnt think it was MS though. It might be, I'll have to look at it again. Because I thought it might be 6FS but I only skimmed over it so I'm not sure.
It's also looks like the far left of step 6 and 5 and connected. The wavy part between 5 and 6 isn't touching from where I could see. I'm not sure if these things matter in designation or not.
I’m not the only one who is taken aback by your seemingly cavalier attitude. As for the number of people willing to answer your questions, you will find that number decline rapidly unless you convince them that you are generally interested in learning. Btw, did you happen to notice who wrote the thread in question?
It may be a thorough response, but it isn’t correct. Your coin has no bridging or marks that break the steps. The coin is a solid 6FS coin but isn’t eligible for the designation because it is AU. Here is an example of a 43-D with 6FS Compare it to your coin and you will see that both coins have full full distinct uninterrupted lines which equates to 6 full steps.
Wow that is really nice for a 43. But I noticed that all the way left at the wall of the stairs, at 5 and 6 (the bottom 2), there is a little thickening of the metal on step 5 (whatever it may be called), that makes it appear to be connecting the 2 stairs.
I don’t see anything that would preclude your coin from getting 6 full steps. Your problem is that you aren’t going to find high grade full step Jefferson’s in pocket change. They are always going to be either AU or low MS no matter the condition of the steps and the coins need to be gem grade in order to have any numismatic value. If you are strictly searching pocket change, I would search for varieties only and not bother with full step coins.
