Need advice from Jefferson stop nickel collectors

Hey guys,

Need advice from some full step collectors.

At least 15 years ago, I found this coin at a local coin shop for a measly three dollars. I knew that it was in high grade. I eventually learned that full steps on a 1973 p are extremely rare. The rest of this very strange story is that I submitted it to a grading service and when I received it back it was a different coin. I felt like they sent me back the wrong coin! But somehow tonight when I was going through my stuff I found this coin. Apparently what happened is I sent off the wrong coin all those years ago.

So now I need your best advice on what I should do with it. What grading service should I send it to? I was just looking at pix of an MS 66+ FS online in a PCGS slab and this coin seems superior. Perhaps the grading services grade these on the curve? This thing looks like it came out of a special mint set. What would you do with it if it was yours? For what it’s worth I’m thinking of sending a bunch of my ancient coins off to NGC. But I don’t know whether it would be better to send this to a different service. Thanks for any advice.

Steve

 

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Nice coin!

 

I believe @Lehigh96 specializes in Jefferson nickels. Ask for his opinion.

 

Wow, Nice!

 

Thanks. Yes. I was looking up values last night. Still has decent potential for such a cheap purchase. Do you think it can get a full step designation? Not sure how nitpicky the grading services are.

 

That coin is gem full steps all day. If you are already sending coins to NGC, might as well include this one under the modern tier. I have a 1973 in NGC’s grading process right now. I will post a photo and grade result when I get it.

 

This and other posts like it generally show the coins lit from somewhere near the 12 o'clock position.
That leaves a shadow in the area of the lower portion of the steps.
That makes it difficult if not impossible to determine the status of FS.
In at least one picture lighting should be from the 5 or 7 o'clock position.

 

Just the opinion of the village idiot, but I don't think that nickel will make MS66. Maybe MS62 or 63.

Z

 

Thanks Lehigh,

Your opinion has a lot of weight with me...I've seen your nickel collection in the past. In hand, it looks better than some of the MS66's that I have. I'd be real happy with a MS66FS.

I honestly feel it has a shot at 67 since I think they grade on a curve.
For reference, here's some photos of an NGC MS67 (not full step) that I lifted from the internet.

 

I would say that it will come back MS 66 5FS from NGC based upon your pictures. If it comes back 67 then it is because the face and collar were basically flawless. Very nice Jefferson coin for sure.

 

While the steps look good, the OP photos are not good enough to figure out a
grade. MS 64 until better photos are provided.

 

To me, having that coin graded would depend on what I wanted to do with it. You stated you've had it for years, so if you plan to just keep it, self slab. If you are going to sell it, send it in. JMHO.

 

Either way I agree with Mountain Man. Best of luck.

 

That is not a 67 to me. Too much chatter in the fields, especially on the reverse. I would say 65. Yes it is full steps.

 

I agree with @Gileshokie but there are contact marks on the face and collar, so no to a 67. Give us a better lit close-up of the steps, please...nice Jeff...Spark

 

What drives my opinion (in yellow).






And the die state. Background / building looks mottled.

Z

 

Ok. But you need to consider how bad any coin looks at that magnification level. Here's the supposed top-pop 57P for sale right now on Ebay for $9900. Only two at that grade. Get out your highlighter!

Ok, I kid, but it takes a special coin to look even reasonable at these magnifications. I don't know if mine is a 67 or not, but in hand it looks nice.

 

One more for fun. This is a poptop '58 in MS66. This is a beautiful coin at scale. Sobering, ain't it?

 

I'm still learning through all of this, but the coins I have seen that are 66 or above are really close to perfect. I'll admit I'm not up on Jefferson grading, more of a half and dollar guy . .. .. .