I just bought a set of Silver War Nickels, and am wondering EXATLY how to evaluate each coin to determine if it is a "Full Step" The Red Book doesn't give a description of Full Step at all, but the coins defiantly command a premium price. How bout a detailed description form an expert in Jefferson Nickels
"Will I accept a full step 1940-D nickel with a bag mark in the steps for my collection? The obvious answer should be no. Will I accept a 1969-D full step nickel with a bag mark in the steps? Hopefully you said yes. Rarity will determine the problem of bag marks in the steps. " Uuuggg Obviously. How can I be so stupid! Grading, such as it is ..............
But that isn't a grading issue, that's an issue of availability. It is very similar to my desire to have an uncirculated chain cent, but the reality is that such a coin is rather unavailable to me (especially in my budget range) so the alternative is to find a well circulated piece. He's not commenting on grading, he's commenting on availability!
That web site suggested is a great method of determining the steps on a Jefferson Nickel. However, try to remember that there are two sides to a coin. I've seen coins that were rated as 5 steps and actually noted extensive wear on the obverse. Don't know how that was possible but it dragged the value way down. Again, there could be scratches, bubbles or just marks on the obverse. Evaluation of any coin is determinated by both sides and even the edge so don't just go by the amount of steps.
he is talking about it as a GRADING issue, in the determination of being full steps or not. It does underscore the very problem with this method of grading. Ruben
Wrong.....if your coin has FS it is noted on the grade BUT it doesn't rase or lower the grade of the coin. Its just like a Bugs Bunny or VAM or FH or FBL doesn't help or hurt the grade....but it is normal noted on the slab or along with the grade. Speedy
you know, you make an EXCELLENT POINT! But if he's not discussing full steps as a grading charactoristic, well then, let anyone make any claim for a standard of full steps. Who cares as long as it doesn't affect the grade Then its just like tone. Whatever the buyer wants! Ruben
Not quite - this is from the NGC pop report. 1938 D JEFFERSON 5C MS6FS 4 1 1 2 1939 REV OF 40 5C MS6FS 6 1 2 2 1 1940 5C MS6FS 56 1 2 3 35 15 Those are just a few examples. You see, up until a couple years ago NGC would not designate any nickel as FS unless it had 6 full steps. Then, under pressure from dealers & collectors, NGC gave in and agreed to slab coins as FS with only 5 full steps. Whether the coin has 5 or 6 full steps doesn't have anything to do with the date of the coin. It only has to do with the steps.
Threads such as this one are educational. I don't know about most people but I always print out these types. This one will go into my hugh book under Nickels. When it becomes large enough I think I'll make it into a book and sell it to all of you. By the way I just went and looked at one of my trick nickels with two tails and it was a 4 step Jefferson on both sides.
I hope this isn't going to mess some people up here but here are some slabs...same date and mintmark...one with 6FS and the other with 5 FS Also the coins in the slab and the one shown here (MS67 6FS) were some I pulled from an original roll. The coins were mostly toned as you can see from the REV (the color didn't show like I wanted)...they are silver/blue/golden/pink/and more....the eye appeal is great. About 4-5 of the coins didn't have any toning...one was a MS66 5FS. Out of 40 coins I pulled out 4 with FS and more with great eye appeal. The one above--I can only find one listed of a coin in that grade of this date and mintmark being sold on Heritage and it went for well over $100. I have one more of these coins at NGC right now....it might get 5FS but I doubt it...more like MS66/7 Speedy
No. Step count is step count. What does differ is that prior to 1990, 5 full steps was good enough to garner the FS superlative. 1990 and after must have 6 full steps to be considered a FS coin.
Where did you ever get that idea Mike ? It doesn't matter what the date is, the coin can have 5 full steps or 6 full steps and still get the FS designation. Are you maybe mixing up what NGC used to do ? Prior to around '03-'04 (can't recall exactly what year they changed) NGC required 6 full steps for the coin to get the FS designation. After that they changed their standards and required only 5 full steps for the FS designation.
