59 Full Step - How do you grade it?

Windycity

Here's a 1959 FS Jeff - sent in for grading... any predictions?

wingedliberty

MS64, possible 5 steps. its close!!

Brian.

TheNumish

I had 2-1956 nickels that looked like your coin and had the same problem deciding what to do. The steps were there but neither coin was a slam dunk full step coin. They sat on the back shelf for about 6 months and I finally sent them in and they came back 65 full step. I'd give yours a try. It's worth a shot.

keets

looks MS64-65 no F/S from the scan.

al h.

leothelyon

Hi windycity
Welcome to the boards.
On a personal basis, I would grade it no higher than a MS64 and it's because of the distracting nick on the high cheekbone. The location of that nick is in a highly visible focal area. The steps show great extension from side to side but from the pic I can't tell but if there is clear separation of the steps end to end then I'd say you have a full stepper there. Now if you have plans on having it certified then the grade and steps could go anywhere. There are pictures of FS Jeffs on ebay and teletrade that look worst and they're in MS65 and 66 holders. I'm not going to point them out. You'll have no problem finding them. That is if the pics are large enough and are of high quality like your picture.
Are you new to collecting the FS nickels?

Leo

NIckelCollector

MS64 probably not FS due to break in 4th step under 2nd pillar and 5th step under 3rd pillar. It is hard to tell from the picture.

Would need to see a better picture to confirm.

Frank

robertpr

PCGS MS63FS. Remember, since the nickel is a small coin, marks are seen more critically by the graders. The steps look OK to me.

Windycity

To all... I am not a nickel specialist but I have made a number of nice FS coins...

I bough five original rolls, sent in 7 coins... My guess is the one pictured is a solid FS.. might make a 65.

I'll post results when I hear.

Thanks all.

keets

Windycity

that's the best approach to take. let the graders "help" even if it costs a few submissions. i have about 8 jeffersons all ready to send in, they look to me like sure thing MS66FS. but first i'll send in my "test" nickels to see how PCGS views them. i've used that tactic on other series and it seems to work on improving my eye. i'd much prefer to make as many of the 1970-date coins as i can.

two series that i struggle with are washingtons and franklins. i'm also sending in a few quarters trying to educate myself in that same fashion.

al h.

LucyBop

<< <i>two series that i struggle with are washingtons and franklins. >>



Lucy sure does on the mint state Franklins......

keets

yes, lucille!!! i seem to have trouble seeing rub and the obverse detail on them is so sparse that i have trouble judging strike. where that ends me up is that i never know if i've judged the bell lines properly or not cause they keep slapping me with AU58.

al h.

LucyBop

My ms62 52d fbl that PCGs graded is tons better then 3 ms64's that I have, no rub on the obverse, but it has a few bagmarks, and the reverse is very sharp with clean fields. I thought this coin would have been a ms64 at worst case.... Those graders better not come to my house for Halloween!

TheNumish

I guess Lucy is going to have some big pieces of coal to put in the graders Trick or Treat bags. If they come to my house I will give the first one a whole bag of candy for the good grades and the second one will get a mouse trap that will go off when they reach into their bag for some candy for the bad grades.