full steps nickles

LittleDot

Hey everyone I have a question about the full steps on our nickels. I have a 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, and a 1969 s. Only the 1969 s has the fs under the head. Does that mean that only that one can be a full step coin or can the other ones be full step coins as well. I am thinking about sending them to be graded because they are in beautiful condition. I would love to get some scans up but my scanner will only make blurry close up scans. I can't wait to read your input.
Thanks in advance,
Dot

jtwax

Hi Dot,

The FS you are seeing under the bust on the obverse is the designer's initials of the Jefferson nickel, Felix Schlag. Those initials were not added to the Jefferson nickels until 1966. The initials do not have anything to do with the steps. The "FS" you are thinking of refers to "Full Steps", which are located on the reverse of the coin on the Monticello building as I am sure you know. You can try to determine if your coins are "full step" by visiting this link. Hope this helps...

LittleDot

yes that is very helpful thank you so much. by the way are the Nickel's with full steps worth more?
Thanks,
Dot

jtwax

Yes, in higher grades they are worth considerably more. Check out the price guides on my site....

Sequitur

Step grading.

LittleDot

how come you dont have 1973 s, 1974 s, 1978 s and how come on the higher 66 -69 grades their are no prices? Thank you so much by the way for taking the time to explain all this to me.

Sequitur

how come you dont have 1973 s, 1974 s, 1978 s

What I think you are asking is why no "FS" designation for the "s" mints for these nickels. The answer is the "s" mints are proofs, and they nearly always have full steps. FS is a designation reserved for the business strikes, not proofs.

I don't understand the latter part of your question.

haletj

The S's after 1970 are proofs and are expected to be fully struck with full steps as proofs usually are. There may not be prices for the higher grades because such coins do not exist!

What another coincidence (coincidence) that FS is the designation for the Jeff nickel, and they say FS on the coin!

LittleDot

i was orginally asking about the fs... i did think it meant full steps... lol stupid me... I just wanted to know why the other person did not have those prices on his site. For ms 66 grade and higher on his site sorry for the misunderstanding.