Changing the Jefferson Nickel and FULL STEPS

[currentcoin]

The Jefferson Nickel with Full step designation

 

With the nickel design change coming up this year.

I thought now would be a good time to inform the collectors out there about the common

Jefferson nickel that we have had for since 1938.

Jefferson Nickels have been a passion of mine for over a year and a half.

In circulated grades a full set can be had for $25 (including the album).

 

This is one tough set to try and complete in high grade for any collector .

And if you want to have it with Full Steps it is impossible to complete.

 

(a plug )

There is and has been many Full Step Nickel clubs throughout the years.

The current club is The Full Step Nickel Club (FSNC) run by

Darrel Crane.

PO Box 10909

Burbank, CA

91510-0909

They even have a web site.

Lots of good hard to come by info.

(end plug)

 

Now to define what a Full Step Nickel is

The steps that are of concern are the ones at the bottom of the building (Monticello)

On the reverse (or back) of the nickel

These steps which are 5 horizontal lines in reality.

Are the key elements that are usually the first to disappear do to many factors.

The descriptors of 5 steps or 6steps takes the designation a step farther.

Five steps are what the majority of nickel collectors have.

So for now 5 step nickels is where I will focus.

 

 

How about some pictures they are worth a 1000 words

This poor nickel would rate NON FS

 

This good nickel would be 6 FULL STEPS

 

And this would be your average 5 Full Step Nickel

More later if you want

Glen

[PQSeated]

Also another thing to point out is how NGC and PCGS differ on the designation. NGC requires six full steps, while PCGS only requires 5. People can make some nice money off five steppers in NGC holders when sent to PCGS and acquire the FS designation there.

[PQSeated]

Oh, I also forgot to say nice post!

[Leothelion]

I really thought more people would have jumped on this thread.

What's the problem? Is it because NGC vertifies only 6 full step

nickels and not 5 step nickels? In my 12+ years as a Jefferson

nickel collector, I have learned that 5 step

Jefferson nickels far outweigh the number of 6 FS nickels available

100 to 1 and close to 200 dates (my guess) for 5 steps verses

only 15 dates that are collectable in 6 FS.

I'm finally agreeing with NGC and GDJMSP, a 5 step Jefferson

nickel is not a full step nickel but that 6 steps is. But should this

mean that collecting 5 step nickels is a waste of time. Is NGC's

standard mean that we are to collect only 6 FS coins? I think NOT!

Collect what you like even though NGC doesn't recognize 5 step

nickels. Maybe that's the problem. That all is needed is a proper

designation.

Or does NGC have some ulterior reason why they have seemingly

passed on the matter. There was a time in the 1990's that NGC

was certifying 5 step Jefferson's as FS nickels but that stance

changed not to long ago. Mark Salzburg, NGC we need the 5 step

designation. How about it? Anyone want to add to this overdue

problem? CS for 5 complete steps and FS for 6 full steps.

See attachment!

 

Thank you, Leo

[fcloud-migration]

My main focus in Mercury Dimes. I do have a few Jefferson Nickels and appreciate the education on the five v. six step issue. I guess you do learn something everyday! Great Post!

 

And, you won me over--we need a 5 step designation. (How's that?)

[PQSeated]

I think ANACS does a very good job on step designation. PCGS and NGC should consider doing what they do. Then rare six step coins get the premium that they truly deserve.

[msmhappy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really thought more people would have jumped on this thread.

 

What's the problem? Is it because NGC vertifies only 6 full step

nickels and not 5 step nickels? In my 12+ years as a Jefferson

nickel collector, I have learned that 5 step

Jefferson nickels far outweigh the number of 6 FS nickels available

100 to 1 and close to 200 dates (my guess) for 5 steps verses

only 15 dates that are collectable in 6 FS.

I'm finally agreeing with NGC and GDJMSP, a 5 step Jefferson

nickel is not a full step nickel but that 6 steps is. But should this

mean that collecting 5 step nickels is a waste of time. Is NGC's

standard mean that we are to collect only 6 FS coins? I think NOT!

Collect what you like even though NGC doesn't recognize 5 step

nickels. Maybe that's the problem. That all is needed is a proper

designation.

Or does NGC have some ulterior reason why they have seemingly

passed on the matter. There was a time in the 1990's that NGC

was certifying 5 step Jefferson's as FS nickels but that stance

changed not to long ago. Mark Salzburg, NGC we need the 5 step

designation. How about it? Anyone want to add to this overdue

problem? CS for 5 complete steps and FS for 6 full steps.

See attachment!

 

Thank you, Leo

 

 

Leo, give it time!! More replys are to come!!!

 

mike

 

-------------------------

 

 

dont forget! collect proof sets!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gmarguli]

Also another thing to point out is how NGC and PCGS differ on the designation. NGC requires six full steps, while PCGS only requires 5. People can make some nice money off five steppers in NGC holders when sent to PCGS and acquire the FS designation there.

 

Ssshhhhhh.

 

Same for FBL Franklins.

[Hoot]

I yaked about this issue a while back and gathered a few responses: LINKY

 

NGC became quiet about this issue. Dave Lange simply told me that NGC wished to "take the high road" and only designate 6 step nickels with FS, implying that they did not wish to engage in the service of providing step counts (see link).

 

I think it would provide a collector service that would be excellent for the hobby. Currently, only SEGS is doing it. Both NGC and other services need to catch up, in my opinion. But my opinion is a small voice here. CW published an article that was an outcome of my study and grew out of the post that is linked. That rock too has only gathered moss. Too bad. There is a small but decidedly informed slice of this hobby that leads the pace for step designation. The Jefferson Full Step Nickel Club has about 350 members that agree.

 

So, this is a case where the services are lagging behind the state-of-the-art in the hobby. It seems particularly unfortunate at a time when the Jefferson nickel design will gather widespread attention.

 

Hoot

[ursabear-migration]

Excellent post, pictures, and information!

 

I wonder if the "return to Monticello" will have steps as the old design, or will it be a new design (something like the FSNC reverse design)?

[cladking]

Many people don't realize that nickels are probably the toughest modern to find in ultra high grade. This is partly because the identification of six complete steps holds the bar so high, but also because a large percentage of the coins are marked. Even in mint sets many of the dates are extremely elusive with a good strike OR mark free. Finding them with both attributes is in some cases impossible. The Ikes may have an even lower average grade but are more attainable as gems.

 

Few of the moderns approach common, but dimes are much more available in high grade than most. Of course, this availability varies widely by date.

[PQSeated]

I've gone through quite a bit of modern mint sets, and Jefferson Nickels are TOUGH! I think it's an undervalued set, and I think there will be an increase in interest in the series if the design does change.

[TomB]

Doesn't ANACS also give a 5, 5.5 and 6-full step designation to their coins? I can be swayed by the arguements for a 5-step designation and a 6-step designation as long as the collectors of the given series think it important. For the most part, I do not care for the current strike qualifiers.

[ursabear-migration]

Indeed, ANACS signifies the three qualifications for steps, even on proof issues.

 

The combination of a hit-free set of columns and Monticello dome, plus full steps is a tough one for any year, most especially (at least it seems) in the late 60s and early 70s.

[Flash]

I have a question about the coin photographed and labeled as a 6-step nickel. Wouldn't the mark interrupting the 4th and 5th steps preclude the coin from being considered as having "full steps"?

[PQSeated]

Most people say that if the steps have a major mark on them that they won't get FS. That's mostly the case, but the mark has to completely make that part of the step obliterate from what I've seen. Minor marks won't usually cost a coin the FS designation, sometimes it does, though. I guess it depends on whether the grader is having a good day or not.

[coinman1794]

Most people say that if the steps have a major mark on them that they won't get FS. That's mostly the case, but the mark has to completely make that part of the step obliterate from what I've seen. Minor marks won't usually cost a coin the FS designation, sometimes it does, though. I guess it depends on whether the grader is having a good day or not.

 

At PCGS it just depends on who you are, which tier you chose, and how many coins you submitted. NGC seems to stick to their conservative standard with there designations, but I don't have first hand experience with their assignments of FS.

[PQSeated]

NGC seems to be very tough on strike designators.