Jefferson nickel questions

joann

Is it possible for a 1976S Proof nickel to have full steps?

Is it possible for a 1957 Proof to have full steps and initials CA??

What does CA and DC stand for?

There is not a lot of information on the internet regarding Jefferson nickels.

Thanks for any help you can give.

JoAnn

stujoe

Shouldn't most Jefferson Proofs be Full Step? Full Step is a reflection of a strong strike and I would think that most proofs are fully struck enough to have full steps.

It sounds like the CA and DC are abbreviations for Cameo and Deep Cameo.

LucyBop

Yes it is possible for Jefferson's to have full steps on a proof but this designation is not recognized on proofs, only circulation strikes that have the potential for this high wear area to wear down from them being in circulation.

robertpr

joann, it is virtually impossible to NOT find a proof with full steps. The circulation strikes are the ones that earn that designation.

CA stands for cameo, and DC stands for deep cameo, this refers to the level of contrast between the fields and the devices. Most modern proofs (from about 1970 or so) are at least cameo, while earlier proofs are more difficult to find in cameo.

Before 1970, the mint acid-dipped their dies and polished the raised parts (which strikes the fields). The sunken parts of the die couldn't be polished as they couldn't get into them. Therefore, the devices were frosted. The frosting on the die was delicate, and usually wore out pretty quickly so only the earliest strikes were cameo'd.

After about 1970, the mint realized there was demand for the cameo effect which they inadvertantly created with the acid dip. So they switched to sandblasting the dies to create a more durable cameo.