Okay - so let me start this by saying I went round with a friend yesterday over this issue. I came across a 2021 P Jefferson Nickel with that I personally believe to be Full Steps (see attached below). While showing my friend the coin, and looking at the coin under the microscope - we got into a debate about if it is full steps or not. This took us to bringing up PCGS images of coins they graded as full steps. I put the coins side by side and looked at their example to my example, and found coins that clearly if MY coin wasn't FS - then there could be no way in hell the coins PCGS displayed were in fact full steps! So I bring the issue to you. I have attached 3 sets of comparison images. My image is the one on the LEFT, and PCGS is on the RIGHT (I'm not saying however that PCGS is right). Take a look and let me know where you weigh in on this issue. Thanks as always! IMAGE #1 IMAGE #2 IMAGE #3
All of yours are full steps. However, almost all modern Jefferson nickels have full steps because the stairs are in lower relief than the older ones.
It is important to remember that PCGS only requires 5 full steps for the FS designation, whereas NGC differentiates between 5FS and 6FS. Most modern Jeffersons from the 90's to present will have 6FS. Your coin looks to have 6FS which is common for 2021 coin. As for the PCGS coin, the first coin looks to have 6FS, the 2nd coin is not FS because the 4th step is broken in two places (above the N&T and the I in MONTICELLO), and the 3rd coin looks to be 5FS with break in the 6th step under the 2nd pillar. Although your photo is a little hard to interpret because of the color, I am curious as to why you think it wouldn't be full steps? I don't see any areas of weakness for concern. Also, the graders don't look at things like this under a microscope, they use a 5-10X loupe for a few seconds. I think you maybe doubting your coin because of over magnification.
Yours are all FS but in my opinion the PCGS 2nd coin is not due to breaks in the steps but I can see why it received the FS designation. There is a difference in 5 and 6 FS as stated about and both posts are correct.
When I was debating with my friend - I insisted they were full steps, they didn't agree. As for the looking at the coin - we used a regular loupe, and digital to view the coin. I just posted the digitals for you to see and make a determination from. Keep in mind that the PCGS coins are pulled straight from the 2021 entry - when you click more images. So these coins too are 2021 FS from PCGS as well.
Okay, what specifically did your friends say was the reason why your coin shouldn't get full steps? How well versed are your friends in grading Jefferson Nickels, and do they submit Jefferson Nickels to either PCGS or NGC for grading?
It all centered around the uninterrupted steps (no marring, blotched steps/joined steps). I showed him the info about 5 to 6 visible steps etc. It was just a back and forth. It's no big deal because I trust the opinions here. And no, he hasn't submitted any coins for grading.
Your friends are trying to defend the indefensible, don't ask me why. But when it's smack up against their face and they still can't see it...
