Lem E

I knew I had read this somewhere. This is from PCGS.

https://www.pcgs.com/news/tips-from-the-grading-room-part-3

Full Steps (FS) is the designation following the numerical grade of some regular-strike MS60 or higher Jefferson nickels that have at least five separated steps (lines) at the base of Monticello. Any major disturbance or interruption of these steps or lines, whether caused by contact, planchet problems, or another source, will result in the coin's not being designated FS. Only the slightest weakness on any step (line) is allowed for this designation. Some issues are almost never seen with Full Steps and may command a significant premium

I knew I wasn’t completely crazy. I understand that the TPGS have different criteria for this, but you can see how it can be confusing.

Here is one for the thread. Looks to me like a small strike through on the t in states. Maybe a small piece of string or debris.

3 minutes ago, J P Mashoke said:

Yes I saw the crack when I bought it and thought it may have more stuff now I can see it sure does. I wonder if I should send it out to be regarded.?

Maybe if you wanted to try for the clashed dies attribution.

Just now, J P Mashoke said:

Yes the 1884-O 

Very nice pick up JP. Lots of interesting details. Right up your alley. 

24 minutes ago, J P Mashoke said:

I am liking this coin more and more, Can you guys take a look? I need some extra eyes on this it had a accident at the mint ,it has strike through on both sides of some kind of shape and die cracks all around like the die broke or Die Clash  something messed it up. 

Is this the same coin you just posted above?

I learned something so I am good with it.

2 minutes ago, J P Mashoke said:

Yes It is the leaf from the reverse die

Those dies have definitely seen better days.

3 minutes ago, J P Mashoke said:

I am liking this coin more and more, Can you guys take a look? I need some extra eyes on this it had a accident at the mint ,it has strike through on both sides of some kind of shape and die cracks all around like the die broke or something messed it up. 

First 2 pics looks like a die clash.

24 minutes ago, Crawtomatic said:

I'm sure I've read it elsewhere before.  Thought it applied to NGC strike characteristics as well but that was probably me misinterpreting the usage of "Mint State" in the article below as "mint state 60-70 range" instead of as "Business Strike".

That's a nice curious find, though.  Certainly worth a pickup.

https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/6752/learn-grading-full-steps-nickels/

"Since 2004, NGC has used the 5-Full Steps (5FS) and 6-Full Steps (6FS) designations for qualifying Jefferson Nickels. These designations are only used with MS (Mint State) Jefferson Nickels. Proof coins are generally expected to have full steps."

Thanks. I believe I have read that article and I guess it was misinterpreted by me as well. 

1 hour ago, RWB said:

Similar to some not designating coins PL because they have a little wear or are not Morgan dollars. The criteria should be identical regardless of denomination or gradable condition.

I know I have read about having to be MS to get a full step designation in a couple different places. I’ll have to see if I can find that info again. Obviously doesn’t apply here at NGC. Thanks again for all the help everyone.

41 minutes ago, JT2 said:

Nickel fan here bud.  ...  .. she is a beauty  that was a  good hunt.........

Thanks JT2. I always like to pick up interesting finds for the collection, and this was a cheap find which always helps.

1 hour ago, J P Mashoke said:

Is there also some doubling on the M and O in Monticello? It is hard to see but it looked like it.

Thanks for the information and photos Lem , I did not know that you could still have some marks on the steps ? I thought it was no marks at all. So as long as the horizontal lines are not broken it will pass at NGC and PCGS ? 

I believe the doubling is just in the picture and not on the coin itself. No the steps do not have to be perfect, but the lines must be unbroken all the way across.

Just now, Blake marie said:

So what’s all the fuss about 1982/83 small date? Lol

There are a scant amount of 1982 Denver small date coins that were struck on a copper planchet instead of a zinc planchet. 1982 was a transition year when they changed the composition of the planchets from copper to zinc. There are 1982 cents struck on both. The 82 D small date was only supposed to be struck on a zinc planchet. There are a handful that were struck on copper planchets. Those are extremely hard to find and that is the one everyone wants. 

If you take a look at the 2nd pic you posted, the top is a small date and the bottom is a large date. You can tell by the difference in the 2 and the 8 in the date. The one with the white mark on it is also a small date. You can use this to check the others. As far as worth, these are common cents worth face value. 

14 minutes ago, Woods020 said:

Looks pretty full steppy to me. Another nice nickel Lem. 

Thanks Woods. I look through nickel listings daily and just don’t see these, so I had to add it to the collection. I think it has a NGC price guide value of $6.00 and a registry point value of 9, so it won’t be replacing the current spot in my set. I think it is an interesting piece IMO. Too bad I couldn’t get these steps on some of my other higher grade nickels.

1 minute ago, Fenntucky Mike said:

All the steps are definitely visible and well defined I wasn't sure about the marks through the bottom two steps, under pillar 1 and 3, to go along with the slight merging on those same steps under pillar 2. If there is a visible line through those ring-a-ding-dings then it sounds like you're good to go.  So as long as there is a visible line through a trouble area the step is considered unbroken? Sorry Lem, not trying to be a pain just looking to have some knowledge rained down on me. 

As far as I know, yes. You can have a nick or spot in the steps as long a line is still visible through that spot. If it merges two steps or breaks beyond that line (deeper/incuse) it is over. 

25 minutes ago, Fenntucky Mike said:

Nice AU nickel Lem!

I'm not a nickel collector so maybe I'm way off but I wouldn't have considered that a 6FS coin. 

Don't crack it out! 

Thanks Mike. I tried to get a few shots through the loupe. I think it is there. I don’t see any major merging anywhere. I would say the worst spot is under pillar 2 but there is still a visible line through that spot. Another spot between pillar 2 and 3, but again, still has visible lines. I think they gave the small nick under pillar 3 a pass. Its hard to tell that spot. Its very small.

2 minutes ago, Alex in PA. said:

Nice nickle for an AU Lem.  

Thanks. Just another little oddity to put in the collection. This is the first one I have come across.

Ok thank you Sir for the information. Much appreciated.

44 minutes ago, lehigh96 said:

You know what is better than a toned 1941-D Jefferson Nickel MS67 FS, that's right, two 1941-D Jefferson Nickels MS67 5FS.

All hail “The King”

On 6/14/2021 at 10:21 AM, VKurtB said:

Who????

Here are a few coins of mine done by Buffalo Head. He does amazing work in my opinion.

On 6/14/2021 at 12:50 PM, Quintus Arrius said:

@Buffalo Head Someone is going to have to help me out here as I do not believe he has spoken up.   Another member has availed himself of having 📷's taken by him of his coins and the results, by mutual assent, are incredibly sharp.  I believe they are all buried in one of the Post your recent acquisition threads.  In fact, maybe, just maybe, the professional quality of his coin photos is such that you would have no trouble breaking with long-standing custom and make a purchase solely on the strength of the quality (lighting, illumination of critical details, sharp focus, and maximum size) provided by his photos.  If he were to have access to the S-G '33, I suspect his photos would be re-touched or rejected outright for revealing the true extent of Lady Liberty's leg injury in full, living color.

Ended up getting one of the more elusive 2012 quarters in change yesterday. Not in too bad of shape, but does have its war wounds. Always nice to fill an empty hole in the album.

15 minutes ago, Blake Hatley said:

People are strange on here!

That’s what makes it entertaining.