I went by the studio of a guy I know from another forum today. He's a professional photographer and just so happened to have a special lens that was really good at taking pictures of coins. The last pic shows the "gash" right above the "I" in Monticello. If you go to the website the pictures are much better than the ones I linked in this thread. http://gallery.teddysmithstudio.com/g/scott_waggenspack P.S. Does my nickel look like it has "Full Steps" ?
Can't be sure about the steps with the watermark on the pic. The steps appear to be very well-struck, but there also appear to be a number of ticks on the steps that could keep it away from the FS designation.
Yeah, I know the watermark really makes it difficult. If you want the watermark gone you could go to his website and buy the pictures.
Honestly, from what I can see through the watermark, the pictures aren't that good and not worth buying. Certainly no better than many people here can do for free.
The watermark does not obscure the huge mark across the steps on the coin which will prevent it from getting a full step designation. For more help in determining full steps, please read the following thread. http://www.cointalk.com/t49827/
I hope you didn't pay for those pictures. It is certainly possible to take pictures of coins without turning the coin on an angle and having it half out of focus. I suggest you get your money back, or send him the coin again and have him take the picture from straight on.
I didn't pay for those pics, he just wanted to try out a new lens he has. That was his first time taking pictures like that. He usually takes head shots and screen shots for films and magazines.