Full Steps? Opinions Please

MrSpud

I'm trying to figure out how to count steps on Jeffersons. I'm not sure if minor contact marks affect the count or how to count the steps on older coins. Attached are 2 pictures, hopefully they will be clear enough to see the steps. The first picture is a 1944D. I can't quite figure out how many steps are on these older ones because the steps don't seem quite as big and level as on the newer ones. The second one is a 1998P. I can see 6 steps, but there is a contact mark on the bottom middle of the steps. Would either one of these be considered full steps. Thanks, in advance, for any replies.
MrSpud

melikecoins

The 44-D is blurry in the important area (under the third pillar),but looks like nicks there, is that right?

You can find a better 98-P

Glen

MrSpud

I'll try and take a close-up of the area under the third pillar.

keets

44-D count i get is 5333 unless the weakness can be seen as full with the coin at another angle.

98-P count i get is 6666 but the bridge will eliminate it from designation.

the 44-D is just a weak strike as they are usually struck full. as MLC pointed out, the almost-always-area of weak strike is under the third pillar which is directly opposite the deepest area of the obverse die.

al h.

Shamika

The bottom step on the 1944-D does not appear to be complete.

As for the 1998, the contact mark is fairly heavy. It may not be heavy enough to preclude it from being FS, but like Glen said you can do better.

jdimmick

I agree with the above, the 44-d will miss due to the merging under the third pillar in step 4/5

I dont like thel arge nick on the 98-p

MrSpud

OK, Thanks everyone. Here is my best attempt of getting a closeup of the steps under the 3rd pillar on the 44D. I'm about at the limits of my cameras capabilities. The area under the third pillar looks a bit better in real life with magnification but it does appear to be not as sharp as the rest of the steps.

melikecoins

It took me awhile keets but I figtured it out

MCL

Glen