Full Steps: Is it five or six of them?

dan1ecu

Here’s the definition of full steps for Jefferson nickels according to PCGS:

“Term applied to a Jefferson five-cent example when 5 steps of Monticello are present.”

Well, I’ve seen some ANACS holders where the nickel was designated “6 steps.”

Can anyone explain?

Thanks,

Dan

LucyBop

While at the Long Beach show, there was a booth by the Full Step Jefferson Nickel club with nice close up and enlarged photos of the six full steps. PCGs requires 5 full steps for this designation. NGC however requires all 6 steps and for this reason many prefer to go with NGC slabbed coins.

dan1ecu

Interesting, Lucy. Apparently ICG only requires 5 steps as well. The reason I asked was that I have an MS67 FS Jefferson nickel graded by ICG, and with my new 10x loupe I can only see 5 steps. I was mad at them at first for mis-grading the nickel, but I guess your answer explains it.

Dan

keets

each service has their own standard.

al h.

robertpr

PCGS requires 5 full steps with no bagmarks through the steps for all dates through 1989. For the dates 1990 through present, 6 full steps must be present.

dan1ecu

Robert – It’s strange that they would allow bag marks through bell lines on an FBL Franklin half, but not allow bag marks through the steps on a FS nickel. I wonder if ICG follows the same guidelines, since they are former PCGS graders. I guess there’s one way to find out...

Dan

Ronyahski

PCGS won't allow a mark on bell lines of an FBL coin if it completely disrupts the lines. Full bell lines and full steps are an indication of die state and strike. Marks should have nothing to do with earning a designation.

Clankeye

I do declare, Lucy Bop. You either know a lot more about coins than I thought when you first pulled your Chevy in here, or you are a very faaassssst!!! learner. You are a way-cool additional to the boards and rock on.

PS: Responding to an earlier question of yours in another thread... 16 Tons was one of the greatest songs to emerge from the 50's. T. Ernie Ford's vocal on that is a national treasure.

LucyBop

Lucy has been collecting since 10 years old but, I sold tons of stuff when silver hit $50 an ounce. Yes, Lucy saddly admits that because of her, many Franklin's went into the melting pot. .......Anyway, as with most things I get into I have always done research to gain knowledge and with coins one cannot stop learning!



<< <i>PCGS won't allow a mark on bell lines of an FBL coin if it completely disrupts the lines >>



This is true however I have a few ms64 FBL's that seem to violate this point and whomever submitted these coins were very lucky to get this designation. I have finally submitted some halfs (4 in person at Long Beach) and the 2 buisness strikes are solid without a doubt FBL's. I won't chance the borderline bagmarked coins if I can avoid it. I have enough raw Frankies to complete my registry set but I know some of them wont give me the grades I want.....

Sixteen Tons is a killer song, I prefer an old obscure Doo Wop version of it by a group called Marvin and the Chirps, this seldom heard rarity has been on my website, its gold Daddy-o!

jom

<< <i>Lucy has been collecting since 10 years old >>



Hey, Lucy...do you always talk about yourself in the 3rd person? lol

I try not to get too involved with the series that have these striking attributes. Personally, I find little value in having some strike characteristic that is only visible with an electron microscope. Actually, it's just that I find that the premium for some of these issues are too much to pay. I realize this is what people are paying but too me as long as the stirke "problem" doesn't take away from the eye appeal of the coin I'd rather have the non-FS (or FB or FBL or whatever). I'd take an almost-FB MS65 1945-P Mercury for $100 over one that is FB for $5k....thank you very much.

jom

shirohniichan

jom, you're crazy! BTW, so am I.

Clankeye

Marvin and the Chirps, eh? I have to hear it. Thanks, Lucy!

clackamas

PCGS requires 5 1/2 steps for FS designation, not 5, and NGC requires 6 steps.

I stand corrected. According to the PCGS "Official guide to coin grading and counterfeit detection" only 5 complete steps are required. I can't remember where I read 5 1/2 steps. No wonder I always get the FS designation, I have been way too harsh. I have some more to submit now

Ronyahski

Lucy - What you quoted what I said - That is the PCGS current grading standard. Their standard was different a couple of years ago, and probably will be different a couple years hence. And like Jom said, just how consistent can you be grading when you need a microscope? Tough to do.

My real question, how do pull a quote from another post? I have been on this forum for over a year and don't know how to do it. Anybody, help!

Placid

<< <i>Lucy - What you quoted what I said - That is the PCGS current grading standard. Their standard was different a couple of years ago, and probably will be different a couple years hence. And like Jom said, just how consistent can you be grading when you need a microscope? Tough to do.

My real question, how do pull a quote from another post? I have been on this forum for over a year and don't know how to do it. Anybody, help! >>



Not sure.
Do you have a quote button next to reply?

NIckelCollector

To clarify PCGS requirement for FS:

"Full Steps (FS) - Jefferson Nickels. MS60 or better, at least five complete steps must appear on Monticello. Any steps that join or fuse together, whether created that way or subsequently damaged, can not be considered for the full steps designation. ""

Ronyahski

Corso - Where does that quote come from?

Ronyahski

JS - I see the "QUOTE". Do you know what to do with it?

Placid

<< <i>JS - I see the "QUOTE". Do you know what to do with it? >>



Click on it under the post you want to quote and it will automatically do the rest.

NIckelCollector

The quote is from the "Explanation of Terms" on the online submission status form.

Ronyahski

Thanks for the quote help.

If that is the PCGS grading standard, I don't agree with it (but then again nobody is submitting coins to me to grade). Full steps should be a function of die state and strike. Unless a tick/mark/scuff is so bad that you can't discern full steps based on die state and strike, it should otherwise receive FS if deserved. And how does PCGS apply this standard to Rev of 38 coins?

jom

Ronyahski: The problem with these strike designations is that just because the coin has FS (or FB or FH etc) does NOT mean it is a full struck coin. I can show you any number of FH SLQ's that do NOT have full shields hence they aren't full strikes. I can show you many FB Merc dimes that have weak edge detail. So the question remains why would one want to pay "FB money" for a coin that isn't full struck. Make no sense to me. Just my opinion though...

Ronyahski

Jom - I agree with you. The designations only indicate a full strike for that particular part of the coin. Why do collectors seek these...the thrill of the hunt I guess.

leothelyon

Here are some pics of steps.

As for strikes verses full steps, I read somewhere that, quote, "the choice frequently comes down to a full step weak strike verses an almost full step full strike, one would be wise to choose the latter----- the overall strike is more important than the steps."
Bernard Nagengast, The Jefferson Nickel Analyst

Leo

mnmcoin

Yeah and isn't it funny that actually, the real Monticello has 7 steps.

morris <><

boston

I am a FULL STEP colllector. Not in the catorgy of CORSO. I don't have the answers you want. Just keep asking questions, and I'll keep taking in the info.