Identifying Full Step Nickels

Your thread was very helpful, Thank You!

 

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While you are certainly welcome, the info was not anything you couldn't find somewhere else: like your link to varietynickels.com.

 

I would also like to point out that you should also check the side steps - while those aren't the main focus point for grading FS's, they do come into play...at least with NGC.

Speedy

 

Paul or Speedy,

Based off my pictures, if possible, what would you say about that 43-S? In the capital holder if I tilt it a little bit I can see the steps clearly. If I take a picture straight down on the holder you can see the steps bend towards each other, but they do not blend. I am just curious and wanting to learn a little. I actually bought this set for about $70, just cause this was the best steps I have seen on one of these coins.

 

The first coin in the original post has steps merged under the 4'th pillar so looks like it has 4 full steps. I really love the colored marks in the photo which make it very easy to coin steps!

The '43-S looks like full steps, can't tell for sure with the photos provided.

The beautiful '41-D above may have 6 steps as noted by NGC but that doesn't mean it has full details. It was minted from late state dies. Either the strike above the steps is weak or many details on Monticello have worn down.

NGC original called only 6 step coins FS. Now they distinguish between 5 and 6 step coins. That is good because some dates do not have 6 step coins known. Even a circulated 6 step example of those dates would bring a nice premium. PCGS calls 5 step coins FS.

 

Mark:

I realize that you didn't ask for my opinion, but I figured that I'd offer it anyway, since this is a series I happen to know something about.

The first coin is not a FS nickel, but the second one is IMHO, but here's why and what i think you should know:

The first nickel has blending beneath the far right pillar on steps 4,5, and 6 and 6 and 5 are pretty much blended across that coin.

Lehigh posted a site that will offer a lot of insight into how to determine whether or not a nickel is FS. Also, prior to 1971, IIRC, only 5 full steps are necessary for the FS designation, so although the second only has 5 steps, it is still considered a FS nickel.

The second nickel has 5 full steps below the pillar to the far left, but they are there the rest of the way across. This coins is a FS nickel, but only 5 steps.

Something important to remember is that the FS designation is determined by looking at the steps below the pillars and counting them. Only if there is 6-6-6-6, is it a FS nickel, for coins minted before the 1970s any combination of 5-5-5-5 or above will garner the FS designation. but even if it is 6-6-6-4, it is not a FS nickel.

 

duplicate post, sorry

 

Nope - your reply works for me. Thanks. I saw the post to another thread, but not to a site. I think you answered what I needed. Appreciate it.

 

Mark,
I just wrote a long reply, and it got deleted....so I will just say this...

From what I can tell, yes the 43s looks to be what I would call FS.

Speedy