1961-D Jefferson nickel

1961 BU goes for $1,250. This one is very much circulated but is it worth anything?

 

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Yes exactly .05 cent

 

I dont know where you got your coin value from, but i think you should
get a Red Book. 1961 MS65 Nickel = $20.00 On a good day.

 

Heard. Didn't let myself get excited. Thanks!

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIABAB&usg=AOvVaw2f_zHdwmVKlMmhPA4hjw32

Are they not reliable or am I misunderstanding something? Hmm

 

Going to be almost impossible to find a mint state 1960's Jefferson nickel in circulation.
Technically mint state coins are not circulated. Although the first day they are released you can find some nice examples that haven't been banged up too badly.
Your nickel is heavily circulated and is almost a completely different life form than the nickel shown in your link.

 

One in the really high MS grades and graded by PCGS or NGC would probably be worth that. Your nickel is not worth more than face value.

 

5 step coins that are MS 65+ or better graded
by PCGS or NGC might put you into that price
range. Nice clear 5 step coins without any damage
on the steps for the years 1960-1964 P or D mint
are rare as hens teeth and snake hips!!

 

PCGS lists the high end value for MS65 at $40. High end price for MS66 is $1400. They aren't actually selling for anywhere near that on ebay, though.

 

That site tends to "dumb down" a lot of coin collecting.

 

It is a way to get people excited about the coins they have or come across. Do not believe those high end prices. Very unlikely a 61 BU nickel would sell for anywhere near that price. Welcome to Coin Talk the forum where you will get the right answers . There are collectively 100s of years of collecting experience with the members here , and they are a great bunch whom do not mind answering questions especially for the new comers. Keep on Collecting it is a great pastime. I learn something new everyday , just by reading the threads. Dillan

 

But what are they in Full Steps?

 

That would depend on what the rest of the nickel was like . Having a true FS is not common among the reg. issue coinage but easy to find in the proof coins. A gem BU 61 with a true FS would be a high MS for sure, and I think somewhat difficult to come across . This is a guess on my part but I have not seen a lot of true FS other then proof issues. Dillan

 

Proof coins are disqualified from full steps designation.
The coin must be MS 60-MS 70.
Also, full steps are easy to find on almost every modern nickel since they reworked and improved the dies to make the steps in much better detail.

 

What are you considering modern , I was curious . It seems like any thing prior to say about 1960 have been tougher to find with true FS. thank you for the info on the designation . I wondered about that but never did research it. Thank You ! @Michael K for the info!! Dillan

 

They reworked the dies (2010?) I'll have to look it up and all the new nickels have full steps, so those are not rare.
I think most nickels are difficult to find with full steps. Even after 1960.

 

I may be wrong but a true FS coin cannot have any marks of any kind on the stairs , and all the stair lines must be full and clear. They have to have 6 full unmarked lines. ? I hope I am correct , and if I am not please correct me. Thank You

 

I believe that the latest rework was in 2006.

 

You need to take all of these sites who have prices listed with a grain of salt. There are numerous places to look for prices. Check Ebay for sold listings, Grey sheet, Blue Book, red Book, major auction houses sold listings and the list goes on and on. High end coins bring big money. Where you should concentrate on is learning the minting process and then to grading. Anything really, just keep on learning.
In order to get a full steps designation, there must be at least 5 full steps visible with no strike weakness and no visible contact marks or strike issues.

 

Thank you I had seen both 5 and 6 so I was not sure of how many before it could be a true FS coin. Thank you @ BamBam8778.