5.5 Steps designation on a proof Jefferson?

dan1ecu

There is a 1941 proof Jefferson nickel up for auction at Heritage in an ANACS holder with the “5.5 Steps” designation (no picture available). I found it strange to see that a proof coin would need that designation. Aren’t proof coins supposed to be fully struck? I’ve never seen an FBL designation for a proof Franklin half or an FB designation for a proof Mercury dime. Are earlier date proof Jeffersons known to be weakly struck?

Dan

CarlWohlforth

I just started reading that many early proof Jeffs don't have full steps. From '40 on up they should/could have. I just checked a few of mine and the bottom step appears rounded on many of them. The 5.5 says the bottom step is halfway there. My T1 '42 might be 5.9.

I have started looking at the steps on proof Jeffs and will get a better first hand opinion in a few months. I already noticed that some SMS Jeffs have very poor steps.

gmarguli

I'm sure it is only a matter of time before we see FBL on proof Franklins. Many don't have FBL.