Please GTG of this 1973-P Jefferson Nickel by voting in the attached poll. Thank you, as always, comments welcome.
I'm not sure if I am too tough on Jefferson Nickels, but this one looks like a 65 due to the reverse. I know a lot of the planchet flaws make it through the striking process and I don't know if what I am seeing on the reverse is that or not. The obverse is certainly the strongest side and the money side for grades. The FS question is I think it would go 5FS but not a full 6FS.
Although there is a fair amount of chatter throughout the obverse and reverse, the sharp strike and booming luster likely landed it at 66FS. I've noticed that the Mint must have been taking extra care with the 1973 mint sets as I've seen nice strikes and surfaces on these coins. I have 1973 p & d quarters that are very clean and lustrous from a mint set.
I’ll guess 66FS. Like @jtlee321 , I’m not sure if the reverse marks are as struck or not. They are a bit distracting in my opinion, but I’ve never searched for a 1973 nickel so maybe this is as good as one can expect for the date.
I am at MS65 no FS the planchet mark or ding connecting step 4 and 5 is too deep to get the designation.
I’ll go 67 w/o FS. I think the 6th step has bridging below columns 3 and 4. I think the nick runs across step 5 which knocks it out. I think the luster, eye appeal, and strike are on par for 67. Some marks look to be from the planchet prior to striking. Others look to be from die polish lines and scuffs on the slab. I actually like it at 66+ but see that isn’t an option.
I gotta tell ya, I am really surprised that PCGS didn't give this coin FS. They usually allow one little disturbance like that and they don't require the 6th step to be complete. As for the surfaces, I think PCGS has it right at MS66.
