Options
Full Step Jefferson Nickels-Basic questions. Please educate me...
Ahrensdad
Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭
I looked at a bunch of small white ANACS early nickels that were titled 5 steps. These were from 1940's and the early 1950's. The steps looked weak to me. Is there more give on the early dates in the determination of the full step designation? When did the nickel need six steps to be full steps. I'm just a little confused. Can some one help educate me on this.
Thanks-
Andrew
Thanks-
Andrew
Successful BST Transactions with: WTCG, Ikenefic, Twincam, InternetJunky, bestday, 1twobits, Geoman x4, Blackhawk, Robb, nederveit, mesquite, sinin1, CommemDude, Gerard, sebrown, Guitarwes, Commoncents05, tychojoe, adriana, SeaEagleCoins, ndgoflo, stone, vikingdude, golfer72, kameo, Scotty1418, Tdec1000, Sportsmoderator1 and many others.
Please visit my website Millcitynumismatics.com
Please visit my website Millcitynumismatics.com
0
Comments
Please visit my website Millcitynumismatics.com
find an actual 6 step nickel. Most have been pulled and valued by Jeff collectors as well struck pieces and carry a premium. This explanation by no means is all there is to know
about grading full step nickels. There are a number of good publications on the subject. Educate yourself before spending your hard earned money. Look at FS and non FS Jeffs
at local shows for comparison. JMHO Shag
The much reviled SEGS actually was good for Jeff collectors in they called out the step count under each pillar. Normally the bridge between steps is under pillar 2 or 3. So you get step counts like 5-4-3-5 or whatever.
For more about Jeffs check out my webpage: Jefferson Nickels
This is an easy question to answer, but one that spurs many, well let's say, discussions. Let's exclude the 1938 type steps for this explanation.
The step design is basically made up of 5 indented horizontal lines. These lines are considered "complete" if they run side-to-side without either of these interruptions:
1) being broken by a tick or hit that cuts all the way through the line
2) faded away by a bridge or soft spot, this can either be weak strike where the metal just did not flow into the line or where the actual die did not posses enough detail to fully complete the step line. This is typical of early 1960's coins, which is a whole separate discussion.
If all 5 lines are complete, you have a six step coin. To be considered FS, the top 4 lines must be complete. The bottom or 5th line can be partially there or not at all. If the top 4 lines are complete, these would be designated as five step coins. If half of the 5th line was present, some folks would call it 5.5 steps. You get the picture.
Let’s revisit “complete” again. These lines are not always well struck and solid. If they were, there would be no need for this post! All coins would either be FS or not! Now we are getting into the variations of what you, as the true Jefferson Nickel collector, determines what “complete” means. Some folks and grading services allow very minor ticks or even bridges and still consider them as FS. Looking at your ANACS coins, the steps can be “weak”, if they are complete. ANACS allows for ticks in their FS designation.
So, what does FS mean to you?
Oh, one other comment. Coins starting in the mid-90's should all have 6 steps to be considered FS. Dates before this can have 5 steps to be considered FS. My humble opinion!
Final Straw?
Fruit Sale?
Fungus Spray?
Fla shlight?
Oh, I got it! Fully Struck!
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
I thought FS always meant Fine Specimen!
an overview of Jefferson step detail prior to about 1951-52 should show that the Denver Mint did a better job of striking coins than the other two Mints. many of the dates in the 1940's can be found with five complete steps and an almost complete sixth step from Denver and to a much lesser degree from Philidelphia and San francisco. by the early 1950's the Master dies were beginning to show wear and the detail became less visible on coins from all three Mints until the late 1950's when Denver again struck some nice coins, particularly in 1958.
ANACS is a poor choice for considering the FS designation on a holder because they counted quarter steps. that means that a coin with an incomplete fifth step or a bridge could be designated as 5FS if parts of the sixth step were visible and counted towards the total. NGC was originally the best designator because they required six full steps for the designation until around 2005 when they changed and began noting "5FS" on their holders. PCGS only requires five steps on coins dated 1989 and earlier, but with the Mint doing some die work and re-mastering PCGS requires 1990 and subsequent issues to have six full steps.
the fly in the ointment from MyLoftyPerch™ has always been that each service views completeness and bridging differently. this has resulted in coins being designated as "FS" which to my eyes and understanding aren't worthy of the premium expected.
The OP to this thread is likely not that far along with this series to understand quarter step counting (QSC) But for all of the following dates; 1938PDS, 1939PDS Type 1s, for many dates after the 1950's including those dated 1960 to 1970, examples are extremely difficult to locate with 5 perfect steps. Ask a few of the top registry collectors if they have any of those dates with 5 complete steps. The reason why Mr MINT's collection had no FS designated 1938DS examples. He had up to a dozon of high grade examples from Steve Peirce, Steve Heller, Bob Stockford and PCGS wouldn't certify any of them FS. Mike D even sent his 1938DS examples to Al Rosen and they failed. It's my belief that ANACS was heavily influenced at that time by the FSNC in the early days of FS nickels; ie, the 1980's and 1990's. Was ANACS wrong or did they do a poor job in designating nickels with FS, I think not! But today, over the last 6 years, the rules have changed. We now have noodles of the above dates certified FS. Whether the missing segment is under the 3rd pillar for dates prior to 1960 or under the 2nd pillar for dates 1960 to 1967, many of those coins have been certified FS by PCGS and others. The only question that remains, do these FS designations require a quarter section of the 6th step to be visible?
And I'd like to take this opportunity to reiterate the importance of locating any of those above dates with 4 plus steps. Finding examples of the 1954-S/D, 1955-D/S, 1960-D, 1961-D, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968-D, 1969-D&S and the 1970-D with 3 plus steps would be quite an accomplishment. Even when no-one is designating those dates FS, at least hang onto them especially when they have a nice strike and condition to go along with the steps. I, for one, am a buyer for those coins!
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Note: the space between the incused step lines is called the "riser" just like you'd see raising up off a set of stairs to the top of the next step.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
ANACS is way more lenient on completeness and nicks across steps
PCGS has the 5/6 cut-off in the early 70's - after a certain date 6 steps required (corresponds to a reverse die re-design)
PCGS needs more luster and eye appeal to get 67's
I have seen NGC MS67's (the prooflike coins) that I feel would not make PCGS MS66
the varieties listed on ANACS are of their own design (just because it says DDR does not make it one that matters to anyone)
back to your question, variety nickels has a good page and links to NGC and PCGS requirements
variety nickels on Full Steps