Full-Step Jeffersons

snapmohr

What qualifies a Jefferson nickel to be "full-steps"? How many steps are on a Jeff? Why do coins with a "full-step" description bring such higher prices? Thanks!

edsondl

For a good description on "Full step" nickels go here.

snapmohr

Thanks for the informative link!

Prometheus183

That's an outstanding link! Not being a modern date collector (although I've recently changed my attitude about them), I wondered about that myself.

Thanks, Ed.

Craig

Sequitur

I posted some close-up photos of a few 2003 nickels. Those more knowledgeable than I concluded they were full step nickels.

keets

Why do coins with a "full-step" description bring such higher prices?

hey snapmohr

a quick look at the pops will answer that question. many early dates in the series were so poorly/weakly struck that by the time collectors started to concentrate on Full Step coins in the mid 1960's, the bulk had been lost to circulation. at the same time, the master dies had worn to the point that many dates in the 1960's never really had an oppurtunity for a full strike even under the best of conditions. couple that with a strictness which requires no bridge between steps either pre or post strike and it's understandable that FS coins are a rare animal for some dates.

if you're a Jefferson enthusiast, search through every dealers books at all the shows you attend. there are coins to be found and varieties to hunt for. if you just need a nice Full Step coin for a type set, go with a 1940-D or 1941-D in MS66FS, relatively easy to find with all six steps struck.

al h.