This will be the third of five guess the grades from my recent submission to NGC. Please view the photos below and vote in the attached poll. For uniformity, I will provide the same available grades for all 5 coins. For the record, I was not fortunate enough to get a full step coin with a star designation. As always, comments welcome.
I voted MS67 5FS by NGC standards. With regards to the steps, I would need to see it in hand to make a more informed decision about the FS designation. I see some weakness and some ticks that arguably bridge the steps and could be used to justify denying a designation to the piece. This might very well be an instance in which my personal standards would differ from the TPGs.
I have a friend who is a Jefferson Nickel nut. I examine all his nickels through my microscope before he sends them in for grading. I hardly ever get one wrong. When that bottom step is round up it should not be full steps. That said I have seen PCGS and NGC call some of these full steps. But they are not 6 full steps.
This is a nice coin with good surfaces but I thought the obverse luster was lacking for an MS67 grade. The steps bear the common bridging from steps 3 through 5 under the 3rd pillar which should preclude a 5FS designation. The reverse color is incredible despite it's hazy appearance in these photos. I thought this coin was a solid MS66*.
