Full Steps 55-D Jefferson???

Mustang5L5

I'm new to this so trying to understand. What would make a Jefferson Nickel a Full steps nickel? I understand the concept of steps, but how many need to be visible to consititute a full steps nickel.

I have a Unc. 55-D Jefferson i was looking over and trying to determine if it was a FS. With a magnifying glass, i can make out three steps. Should I be able to make out more at this stage or do i need to use something stronger to make the designation??

Best pictures i could get of the coin. Unfortunatly, the picture does not show the steps area at all. It just blurs in the area of the steps.

The coin would probably probably grade fairly well even as a non-FS i would imagine.

MoeSzyslak

Variety Nickels has a pretty decent page on step counting (http://www.varietynickels.com/stepgrading.htm). You'll need something a little more powerful than a magnifying glass, though.

GoYankees

A minimum of 5 steps is required for a FS designation for PCGS.

NGC and ANACS recognize 5FS and 6FS as designations.